[NTLUG:Discuss] Microcenter Linux CD's

[Patrick R. Michaud]

On Sun, Nov 30, 2008 at 03:24:14PM -0600, Chuck Graf wrote:
> The Ubuntu and Kubuntu disks look like the ones that you can get for free
> from Canonical (8.04 release, the long term support version, which is still
> current).  I know that you can order these CD's in bulk also.  The GPL
> allows you to sell copies of free software for the cost of the media plus a
> reasonable amount to recover expenses.  I am not sure how that applies
> here.

Point of clarification:  The GPL allows anyone to sell copies of 
GPL-licensed software for _any_ price they wish (and that buyers agree to).

However, anyone who distributes binary-only copies of GPL'ed software
is required to provide copies of the _source code_ at "no more than 
[the] cost of physically performing source distribution."

The page http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/selling.html clarifies it nicely:

    Except for one special situation, the GNU General Public License 
    (GNU GPL) has no requirements about how much you can charge for 
    distributing a copy of free software. You can charge nothing, 
    a penny, a dollar, or a billion dollars. It's up to you, and 
    the marketplace, so don't complain to us if nobody wants to 
    pay a billion dollars for a copy.

    The one exception is in the case where binaries are 
    distributed without the corresponding complete source code. 
    Those who do this are required by the GNU GPL to provide source 
    code on subsequent request ... in this case we have to limit the
    fee for source, to ensure the user's freedom.

Hope this helps,

Pm