[NTLUG:Discuss] Microcenter Linux CD's

[Chris Cox]

Patrick R. Michaud wrote:
> 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).

True, The reason why the Red Hat distros had to be pulled and the cease
and desist orders were given to the freebie CD selling folks is that
Red Hat was protecting their trademark.  So... you can do things like
CentOS (though they missed some places btw) as long as you strip
the trademark (e.g. Red Hat) from the distribution.

Also, Red Hat would like for everyone to be aware that using
a color and or head dress inside of your distro is a violation
of their trademark. :)

>From Red Hat's docs: Some examples of prohibited uses include, but
are not limited to, “Red Cap” Linux, “Sombrero Rojo”
(“Red Hat” translated into Spanish) Linux, “Redd Hatte”
Linux, “RH” Linux, and “Green Hat” Linux.

Canonical/Ubuntu has a much looser trademark guideline...

Trademarks are interesting things.  If you do not vigorously
defend them (and I can argue successfully that Red Hat DID NOT
for MANY years), they you can lose them.