On Fri, 2005-08-19 at 12:39 -0500, Les Mikesell wrote:
On Fri, 2005-08-19 at 11:29, Rodrigo Barbosa wrote:
Yet the GPL explicitly gives anyone the right to fork the Linux kernel into anything they want as long as they meet the GPL requirements. Odd paradox there, given the requirement to retain proper copyright notices...
That has absolutely nothing to do with the GPL. Is is a Trademark on the NAME. Feel free to fork the code and name it something else, and you won't have any trademark related problems.
Can you give proper copyright credit on the Linux kernel without the name Linux? A quick grep through the source tree shows the word is used thousands of times. If there are restrictions on the usage, how do you reconcile that with the GPL requirement that prohibits additional restrictions?
Just for the record, here is the answer for that question:
Trademarks: Use Requiring A Sublicense.
On the other hand, if you plan to market a Linux - based product or service to the public using a trademark that includes the element "Linux," such as "Super Dooper Linux" or "Real Time Linux Consultants" you are required to apply for and obtain a low-cost sublicense from LMI. This is true whether or not you apply to register your trademark with a government.