Is this pirating?

[fow99]

I am just thinking of this. Sus3 7.3 doesn't provide .iso CD images but they do retailed version of the distro for obvious reason. What if someone buy a copy of the retail version, make a couple of iso himeself and then distribute them via the net? Is this pirating or not?

[dvdnut]

what does the small print say?

[SUOrangeman]

Without any legal thought backing me up, I don't think making ISOs of the SuSE distro is pirating. After all, you can install SuSE via FTP for free.

-SUO

[thedexman]

I wouldn't count on that though. For instance, I know that Theo de Raadt holds the copyright to all of the OpenBSD ISOs so that they can be sold by the project to raise funds, but anyone can grab OpenBSD by FTP or CVS for free.

[Molecule Man]

It depends on the License of the programs on a particular CD. IF it was all GPL or compatible licenses, then yes you can. If not, then it depends.

[jon787]

Well seeing that all LinuxISO.org has is an evaluation ISO for Intel platforms I bet there is some fine print that keeps people from distributing ISOs of SuSE.

[milanuk]

As far as I know the primary problem w/ redistributing SuSE is that the install/admin program yast is *not* GPL'd, and in fact requires SuSE's permission to redistribute. So if someplace like CheapBytes or LinuxISO.org wants to burn copies of SuSE Linux and sell them, they have to get permission to do so from SuSE.

SuSE stopped making ISO's available around 7.1 or so.

How exactly this ties to the legality of mirroring SuSE via ftp, I don't know. I believe they make it available via ftp for people to d/l for mass network installs, perhaps in education institutions, corporations, etc. Just a guess, though. They make the stuff available, just not easy for everyone to take and burn and give away. Part of their business model does involve the sale of boxed sets. This has came up *many* times on the suse-linux-e list at http://lists.suse.com/archive/suse-linux-e

HTH,

Monte

[kevin79]

IF you do put the ISO's out on FTP, please let me know, I would like to download them.

Thanks

[sarah31]

Yes it would be. Though much of the base system is Open license. I believe that they do not or have not obtained the permission to distribute, via the internet, some of the programs that are on their retail version. The FTP version lacks some of the programs that are on the retail version. What I am not sure. I am pretty sure the YaST interface/installer is not the whole problem as it is part of the FTP install.

Like the last fellow said though, let me know if you decide to do this.

[milanuk]

Well, I decided to go take a look at the license again to refresh my memory. Here's a link to it for any who care:

ftp://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/linux/suse/7.3/COPYRIGHT.yast

Specifically, section 3 is of interest:

3. Dissemination

It is forbidden to reproduce or distribute data carriers which have
been reproduced without authorisation for payment without the prior
written consent of SuSE GmbH or SuSE Linux. Distribution of the
YaST programme, its sources, whether amended or unamended in full or
in part thereof, and the works derived thereof for a charge require
the prior written consent of SuSE GmbH.

All programmes derived from YaST, and all works derived thereof as a
whole or parts thereof may only be disseminated with the amended
sources and this licence in accordance with 2b). Making YaST or
works derived thereof available free of charge together with SuSE
Linux on FTP Servers and mailboxes is permitted if the licences on
the software are observed.


As I read this, it is pretty clear that it would be out of the question for someplace like cheapbytes to sell cheap CD's of SuSE, but something like FTP'ing the whole distro is actually encouraged for personal/educational use. The big question on everyones mind is whether it is legal to make 'data carriers' (iso images) available for *free* via FTP.

Methinks the biggest remaining issue is making sure that any packages from the 'pay' series is _not_ on the iso's you make available, otherwise you would run afoul of other people/companies besides just SuSE, as well as any other packages w/ 'non-free' licenses. Could be interesting for those sufficiently talented, making basically a 'KRUD' version of SuSE. Wouldn't that just roast their walnuts!! ;)

Monte

[sarah31]

excellent answer! It really is too bad that they do not have iso's though.

[error27]

Yeah...

That's too bad.

Probably you'll have to use Debian now. They have ISOs available.

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by jon787:
<STRONG>Well seeing that all LinuxISO.org has is an evaluation ISO for Intel platforms I bet there is some fine print that keeps people from distributing ISOs of SuSE.</STRONG>

yes, i think suse has decided to go full commercial, they don't want anyone using it that isn't paying or at least able to do an ftp install, and they probably only are leaving that up/available to "appear" to be friendly, and not totally commercial

in my opinion, only use suse if you are willing to BUY it, otherwise use a distro from a company that doesn't mind you getting the .iso for free

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by kevin79:
<STRONG>IF you do put the ISO's out on FTP, please let me know, I would like to download them.

Thanks</STRONG>

if you do put up an ftp with suse .iso's

DON'T POST IT HERE OR YOUR THREAD WILL BE DELETED!!

the people that run linuxiso.org have to research this stuff and in my opinion, if they don't link an .iso, it is for a good/legal reason

have a nice day and buy suse if you want it that bad :)

[ 23 November 2001: Message edited by: FoBoT ]

[mrBen]

I think you'll find that the reason SuSE don't give out ISOs is as has been stated above - YAST2 is a proprietary control system, and not licensed under GPL. Also, SuSE include a lot of commercial software within their 7 CDs worth of stuff, and thus they are not allowed themselves to release some stuff. Posting ISOs would therefore be pirating.