Fedora Freedom and linux-libre

[Les Mikesell]

Horst H. von Brand wrote:
> 
>>              They claim that it doesn't matter if the components are
>> distributed separately or not.  For example, you can't modify a GPL'd
>> component so that it needs a library under different terms even if the
>> parts are never distributed together.
> 
> Sure you can. In the heyday of GNU software it was /only/ run on propietary
> systems, and all that software was routinely modified with the express
> purpose of running on newer/changed versions of propietary systems (which
> were the only ones available, remember).

There's a special exception for the case of standard system software 
that doesn't apply in other situations - or if they are distributed 
together.

>> Whether it is a derivative or 'work as a whole' depends on the
>> relationship of the parts, not temporary physical proximity.
> 
> Please state which laws or court decisions lead you to this conclusion, and
> exactly what "relationship" has to be involved here.

I'm not aware of any court ruling.  It is the conclusion I drew from the 
FSF legal position regarding RIPEM that lead to the development of the 
generally useless fgmp library. It was long enough ago that google 
doesn't find many good references, but this one at least describes it:

http://www.plex86.org/linux/Beyond-Compare--software-equivalent-in-linux-3686.html

-- 
   Les Mikesell
    lesmikesell at gmail.com