Re: Is linux free

From: Rick Moen (rick_at_linuxmafia.com)
Date: 10/11/05 

Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 20:33:00 -0400

Unruh <unruh-spam@physics.ubc.ca> wrote:

> The last sentence you quoted shows that those files are not there as
> "mere aggegation". They are a part of the distribution. The
> distribution as a copyrightable work depends crucially on the kernel.
> Were you to remove the kernel the distribution would not work. As such
> it is a derived work of the kernel, and as a copyrightable work must
> therefor be under the GPL.

So, if Oracle Corporation provides the Linux port of Oracle RDBMS with a
bundled Linux distribution, then Oracle RDBMS automatically becomes a
derivative work of the Linux kernel? And, if they also provide the same
Linux port of Oracle RDBMS bundled with FreeBSD and _its_ Linux-binary
runtime libraries / binary-support interface, then Oracle RDBMS
automatically becomes a derivative work of the FreeBSD kernel?

This is a joke-shop legal standard, and the judge would throw plaintiff
out on his/her ass.

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