Re: Plea for a reasonable RHASv3 license option

[shane stixrud org]

On 30 Aug 2003, Tom "spot" Callaway wrote:

> On Sat, 2003-08-30 at 22:45, shane stixrud org wrote:
> 
> > It is my understanding that 
> > you can install it on as many servers as you like and run it for as long 
> > as you like.  What you can't do is call up redhat and ask for support or 
> > sign up for a RHN account.
> 
> Legally, this is not accurate. Quoting from section 4 of the RHEL 2.1 US
> License:
> http://www.redhat.com/licenses/rhel_us_2-1.html?country=United+States&;
> 
> "If Customer wishes to increase the number of Installed System, then
> Customer will purchase from Red Hat additional Services for each
> additional Installed System."
> 
> English Summary: You need to pay for a RHEL Subscription for every
> installed instance of RHEL 2.1.
> 

Also not wanting to start a flamewar, I thank you for the good info.  I 
did not realize the GPL allowed for this, but now that I think about it I 
can't remember seeing anything in the GPL that would restrict RedHat from 
this. I am curious, is one required to renew the annual RHEL if they wish 
to continue using RedHat Advance Server, it appears from your quote that 
this is so?

It seems I have been operating under more than one misconception.  In my 
mind companies need to be more cautious of software which they lease vs 
software they own.

I also must say, I am not morally sure where I stand with RHEL now, 
the implications of being required to pay annual fees or be forced to 
remove software from my servers seems questionable in the light of how/why 
the vast majority of this software was produced.

Shane.