Termination inevitability w/ aggregated GPLv2-only

Most redistributors, at least with regard to embedded systems, typically
include the kernel named Linux with their distribution.  As such, even
when GPLv2-or-later and/or GPLv3-{only, or-later} works are included in
the aggregation, the termination implications are effectively those of
GPLv2-only, since it's unlikely in any event the violator will remove
the GPLv2-only work (particularly if it's Linux).
This commit is contained in:
Bradley M. Kuhn 2014-11-10 07:52:56 -05:00
parent 9641db188d
commit cedd23d4cc

View file

@ -874,6 +874,16 @@ Given that much discussion of v3 has focused on its so-called more
complicated requirements, it should be noted that v3 is, in this regard, complicated requirements, it should be noted that v3 is, in this regard,
more favorable to violators than v2. more favorable to violators than v2.
However, note that most Linux-based systems typically include some software
licensed under GPLv2-only, and thus the copyright holders have withheld
permission to redistribute under terms of GPLv3. In larger aggregate
distributions which include GPLv2-only works (such as the kernel named
Linux), redistributors must operate as if termination is immediate and
permanent, since the technological remove of GPLv2-only works from the larger
distribution requires much more engineering work than the negotiation
required to seek restoration of rights for distribution under GPLv2-only
after permanent termination.
\chapter{Standard Requests} \chapter{Standard Requests}
As we noted above, different copyright holders have different requirements As we noted above, different copyright holders have different requirements