Re: End of "Free" Solaris binary licence program - now it's free.

From: GWS (one4sun_at_lios.apana.org.au)
Date: 02/24/05 

Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 11:07:24 +0000 (UTC)

Scott Howard <scott@hunterlink.net.au> writes:

>Dave <nospam@nowhere.com> wrote:
>> But what are people supposed to do *now* if they have an oldish Sun
>> today and want to install a Solaris OS on it?

>Buy a copy off ebay? Sure, it's not legal, but if you're using it on a
>home sun4m machine I can't really see anyone careing...

That's probably where a large majority of home Sun system enthusiasts get
copies of their preferred OS from - even Solaris. That's where I have bought
every copy of the SOlaris media packs I've used here since about Solaris
2.5.1 (aka SunOS 5.5.1 + GOE). 8-)

The legality of it basically irrelevant, even if someone sells a brand-new
unopened Solaris 10 pack on Ebay. The physical entity which is the pack is
not Sun's property so the legitimate owner can sell it to anyone else.

It's the *use* of the software stored on the media which might not be
strictly legal, but then you have everyone who has downloaded Solaris ISO's
and burnt several copies to keep one set and give a few away to friends
perpetuating the 'problem'. It's only a problem if the perspective you look
at the issue from makes it a problem though.

Almost nobody at the grassroots/hobby/enthusiast level takes any notice of
OS licenses with Unix OS's, IMHO anyway. Other people might have a different
take on this...

Regards,

Craig. 

-- 
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    Craig Dewick - aka the one4sun!     | www.sunshack.org or www.sunshack.info
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