[KLUG Advocacy] SuSE 9.1 - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

[Bruce Smith]

> Is it permissible to make copies of SuSe's distro?  Or does one need to
> buy a copy?

I honestly don't know.  There is a file named "COPYING" in root
directory of each CD with starts with these two lines:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
                    GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
                       Version 2, June 1991
----------------------------------------------------------------------- 

And appears to be the standard GPL license, as far as I can tell.


There is also a file name "COPYRIGHT" in the CD root, which contains
this text in it's entirety:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Copying and Licenses
====================
  
The majority of programs on this CD fall under the GNU General Public
License (GPL). This license can be found in the file "COPYING". Additionally,
a German translation of this license can be found on the CD in the file
"COPYING.de".  This translation only serves the purpose
of transfering the basic ideas of the GPL.  The Free Software Foundation
does not acknowledge any translated versions.
Only the authentic English version is authoritative!
  
We make available the complete source code as required by the individual
licenses (GPL or other) of the packages. For smaller distributions, the
source code is available for download on ftp://ftp.suse.com. For others,
it is shipped directly on the CDs or DVDs.
If you find any omissions, please notify us. In such a case, we offer
for you to receive missing source code at net cost price.
  
  
ATTENTION:
==========
  
The distribution and use of software (even if it is free software) must honor
certain license conditions. Not all programs on the CDs are free software.
Some of them are shareware, restricted to noncommercial use, or may have
other restrictive conditions.
  
The package information mentions the respective license and authors.
We cannot, however, ensure the correctness of this information.
In cases of doubt, refer to the original copyright information of the
respective programs.
  
Your SUSE Team

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

That's everything that I can see pertaining to the subject.
You tell me?

 - BS