I wonder how all this works with the GPL conveyance clauses? Is Ubuntu’s offer okay for GPLv2 software, or does Best Buy (and amazon etc) need to host it?
Basically, the only thing that can legally be violated in this situation would be possibly copyrights on some stuff and of course, definitely the trademark.
Stripped down without the word Ubuntu or the trademark, it’s open source which means it can be sold. I can sell Open Office so long as I abide by their trademark policy.
The only comment I have about this is that their minimum specifications seem a bit steep to me, sorta. And why do they still list Gaim as the instant messenger?
Well I recall a while back the guy running mepis got in hot water for not offering source via anything other than a backpointer to Debian. GPLv3 has come along since then, but we still have some GPLv2 only code in Ubuntu.
Canonical is considered the manufacturer, I suppose, but ValuSoft is pressing and packaging it, so they’re “publishing” it.
Yes, it’s fine for them to sell it. The reason Mepis was in hot water for pointing at Debian is that they do have their own changes to the distro. If they’re not changing Ubuntu before putting it on the CDs, well, the repos configured by the install CD will still point to Ubuntu’s repos which contain the source code, so I think they’re OK.
What you are paying for is installation support.As this is in Best Buy this is not aimed at Linux users but rather at people considering a new machine but being offered an alternative in running Ubuntu on their old machine. They might well need some install support. They are not selling the OS.
This blog is not just for Planet Compiz Fusion and I never said it was. If you don’t want to see non-compiz posts on that planet I guess whoever added me to the planet should have added only my ‘compiz’ tag feed.
I went to check this out myself - it does come with 90 days of installation support via phone, it has the Canonical logo on it, and it claims that Canonical has designated ValuSoft as an authorized re-distributor. They correctly attribute the trademark to Canonical. Don’t take my word for it - check it out at your local Best Buy!
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18 Responses to “Ubuntu in Best Buy”
Why they are selling it ? Linux is free ?
Are they paying to Canonical ?
I guess it costs Best Buy that much to burn a CD and throw it in a sleeve.
I wonder how all this works with the GPL conveyance clauses? Is Ubuntu’s offer okay for GPLv2 software, or does Best Buy (and amazon etc) need to host it?
Basically, the only thing that can legally be violated in this situation would be possibly copyrights on some stuff and of course, definitely the trademark.
Stripped down without the word Ubuntu or the trademark, it’s open source which means it can be sold. I can sell Open Office so long as I abide by their trademark policy.
The only comment I have about this is that their minimum specifications seem a bit steep to me, sorta. And why do they still list Gaim as the instant messenger?
Well I recall a while back the guy running mepis got in hot water for not offering source via anything other than a backpointer to Debian. GPLv3 has come along since then, but we still have some GPLv2 only code in Ubuntu.
The only weird thing is the publisher. Isn’t Canonical the publisher of Ubuntu?
Amazon is selling this too. This seems pretty sketchy to me. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018KAN9E
Canonical is considered the manufacturer, I suppose, but ValuSoft is pressing and packaging it, so they’re “publishing” it.
Yes, it’s fine for them to sell it. The reason Mepis was in hot water for pointing at Debian is that they do have their own changes to the distro. If they’re not changing Ubuntu before putting it on the CDs, well, the repos configured by the install CD will still point to Ubuntu’s repos which contain the source code, so I think they’re OK.
I just posted this review on the site:
Pros: Great OS
Cons: Best Buy is selling a free product.
Review:
Why pay for this? Download from Ubuntu dot Com. Burn it to a cd-r and save yourself $19.49.
Hi ! You can get ubuntu for free from the editor. Free CD shipping even oversees.
Enjoy !
Hi
What you are paying for is installation support.As this is in Best Buy this is not aimed at Linux users but rather at people considering a new machine but being offered an alternative in running Ubuntu on their old machine. They might well need some install support. They are not selling the OS.
Gerry
How is this related to Compiz?
@Gerry: No, you are buying a box off the shelf.
@Nick: Who said it was?
Agreed with gerry.
> @Nick: Who said it was?
@travis: So, don’t spam planet with non-compiz stuff…
This blog is not just for Planet Compiz Fusion and I never said it was. If you don’t want to see non-compiz posts on that planet I guess whoever added me to the planet should have added only my ‘compiz’ tag feed.
I went to check this out myself - it does come with 90 days of installation support via phone, it has the Canonical logo on it, and it claims that Canonical has designated ValuSoft as an authorized re-distributor. They correctly attribute the trademark to Canonical. Don’t take my word for it - check it out at your local Best Buy!
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