Microsoft Was Distributing Ubuntu Linux

ausage writes "Groklaw has noted that for the last few days, Microsoft has been distributing Unbuntu Desktop Linux from the Windows Marketplace Website. The page is gone now, but can still — as of this morning — be seen using Google cache. 'Heaven only knows that's true, simply perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. The part Microsoft got wrong is it says the license is "Free" and "No limitations". Actually, the GPL does set some limitations, like what you are responsible to do if you redistribute.'"

Comments

Re:confusing

[deanlandolt]

I'm surprised by how many people here seem to be very confused as to what the GPL actually requires. So what if Microsoft distributes GPL'd software -- they can do it all they want, so long as they distribute the code to any changes THEY make to this software. If they hacked any packages in Ubuntu, then yes, they'd have to abide by the GPL -- but ONLY for the GPL'd software. This doesn't mean they'd have to turn over the source code to Windows -- ever. Nor does it mean they're only protected because they just "pointed" to the software. They could host it on their servers for eternity -- more power to them if they did -- but the GPL cannot automagically change the licenses of their other applications.