Is linux free 5016

Note the first paragraph. "Mere aggregation of two programs means putting them side by side on the same CD-ROM or hard disk. We use this term in the case where they are separate programs, not parts of a single program. In this case, if one of the programs is covered by the GPL, it has no effect on the other program."

The last paragraph reads "By contrast, pipes, sockets and command-line arguments are communication mechanisms normally used between two separate programs. So when they are used for communication, the modules normally are separate programs. But if the semantics of the communication are intimate enough, exchanging complex internal data structures, that too could be a basis to consider the two parts as combined into a larger program. "

Which is largely irrelevant to my argument. Of course I agree that A will not affect B just because A and B can communicae with each other. The question is one of relationship.

My argument has a number of steps.

a) The distribution itself is a work. It is more than a compilation, because Redhat goes to immense efforts in changing the programs (look at the number of kernel patches they for example put in) to make the programs fit together into the distribution.

b) As a work it is a derivative work, of for example the kernel. Both because of the efforts to tune and customize the kernel for the distribution, and the efforts to ensure that the rest of the distro fits together smoothly with the kernel and the intimate relationship between the kernel and the distribution.

c) As a derivative work, it must be released under the GPL (it is).

d) Under the GPL no restrictions may be placed on anyone else's copying or distributions of the work.

e) Redhat places such restriction on the installation of their work onto additional systems.

f) As such Redhat is in violation of the GPL under which they copied and altered the kernel.