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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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A Comprehensive Analysis of the GPL Issues With the Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) Business Model | Software Freedom Conservancy (sfconservancy.org)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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...this completes what appears to be a decade-long plan by Red Hat to maximize the level of difficulty of those in the community who wish to “trust but verify” that RHEL complies with the GPL agreements. Namely, Red Hat has badly thwarted efforts by entities such as Rocky Linux and Alma Linux. These entities are de-facto the intellectual successors to CentOS Linux project that Red Hat carefully dismantled over the last decade

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Given the thousands of contributors to the Linux kernel, is an upgrade to a GPL version higher than v2 even possible? I’ve got no idea, but I’m curious of any insights.

This is functionally impossible, because all current and prior contributors have to agree to the relicense. Should they not, an utterly massive legal and logistical headache will occur that I don't think anyone would attempt. As any and all code from anyone who does not agree must be removed/replaced. The mother of all Forks.

I am not a lawyer, but I have been a follower of FLOSS projects for a long time.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I am not a lawyer, but I have been a follower of FLOSS projects for a long time.

Me too. I know what I’m suggesting is functionally impossible. I’m wondering if it could be done in compliance with the GPL.

All of those contributors have done so using language that says GPLv2 or higher. Specifically says you can modify or redistribute under GPLv2 or later versions. So nothing stops the Linux Foundation from asking new contributors to contribute under the GPLv4 and then releasing the combined work of the new kernel under GPLv4.

The old code would still be available under the GPLv2, but I suspect subsequent releases could be released under a later version and still comply with original contributions.

Again, I know it won’t happen, just like I believe Red Hat’s behavior is within the rules of the GPL. I’d love to hear arguments as to how Red Hat is violating the GPL or reasons why the kernel couldn’t be released under GPLv3 or higher.