[ILUG] Redhat Licensing

[Niall O Broin]

On Tuesday 4 May 2004, Gavin McCullagh <ilug_gmc at fiachra.ucd.ie> wrote:

>You cannot legally use the RHEL distro without paying (per seat even?).
>This is an example of a Linux which is not free of charge.  If it were
>possible to use RHEL without paying for the service it'd be on their
>website for free download and called RHEL.

You can legally use RHES without paying for it. You CAN'T use the update
service, Redhat Network, without paying for it on a per machine basis.
The RHES EULA states, inter alia,

1.  The Software.  Red Hat Enterprise Linux (the Software) is a
    modular operating system consisting of hundreds of software
    components.  The end user license agreement for each component is
    located in the component's source code.  With the exception of
    certain image files identified in Section 2 below, the license
    terms for the components permit Customer to copy, modify, and
    redistribute the component, in both source code and binary code
    forms.  This agreement does not limit Customer's rights under, or
    grant Customer rights that supersede, the license terms of any
    particular component.
    
I'd hope that the above is reasonably clear to those with even a
rudimentary grasp of English.

So if you want to use RHES without paying for it, all you have to do is
find somebody willing to provide you with a copy free of charge. Note
that the EULA also says:

                    If Customer makes a commercial redistribution of
    the Software, unless a separate agreement with Red Hat is executed
    or other permission granted, then Customer must modify the files
    identified as REDHAT-LOGOS and anaconda-images to remove all
    images containing the Red Hat trademark or the Shadowman logo.
    Merely deleting these files may corrupt the Software.
    
That is why you won't find Cheapbytes selling copies of RHES.
 
However, although it IS possible to use RHES without paying for the
service OR the distribution it's NOT on their website for free download
and it's NOT called RHEL, your views to the contrary notwithstanding.



Niall