[Info-vax] OT(?): Linux: developed by corporates. *NOT* developed by unpaid volunteers.

[David Froble]

Simon Clubley wrote:
> On 2015-03-29, David Froble <davef at tsoft-inc.com> wrote:
>> Simon Clubley wrote:
>>> If a particular product range can't be enhanced over a free version
>>> then you can still make money by selling top quality support for
>>> the free version.
>> Yes, that's what some vendors are doing.  But, that's charging for the 
>> support, not for the product, right ?
>>
>> We all know I don't get out much, but it's been my impression that GPL 
>> code cannot be resold for a fee.  Is this correct?
> 
> It _can_ legally be resold for a fee; it's just that most people choose
> not to do that or use a dual licence approach.

Hmmm ....

I'm going to question you on this statement for several reasons.

I can see charging for distribution media ...
I can see charging for additions to the GPL code ...
I can see charging for services ...
I can see charging for support ...

But I had the very strong impression that the code under the GPL license 
could not be sold.  Am I wrong?

> In embedded devices however, the cost of integrating Linux into the
> product is going to be included in the product.

Yes, and that is not, strictly speaking, charging for the GPL software. 
  Only if the price was broken out and there was a piece for the GPL 
software would you say that the GPL software was "sold".  Would you agree?

> Also, consider vendors like Dell who can sell their systems pre-packaged
> with Linux and have done the integration work to make sure Linux works
> on those systems out of the box.

Again, selling HW.  Does Dell have a separate line item for the software?