hi guys, I'm new to the forum, and I wanted to post a question, one of the website I manage is from a client who wants to give something to the user who make donation to the website, and I wanted to know if is legal to give them usb with different portable application installed... I know sometime ago I came across a site that was selling the usb with linux distribution installed, but I haven' found it... anyway is this legal?...
thanks
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Although I am no expert, selling an USB stick with PortableApps pre-installed has some legal issues due to the fact that some licenses allow redistribution of unaltered installers only. And there is the issue that there are Trademarks involved and re-distributing pre-installed PortableApps is therefore not as simple. Another reason to have unlatered installers is that they are digitally signed by PortableApps.com ensuring the files are not tampered with in any way.
A very nice solution would be to put the installers on a Mini-CD to be given with the USB stick or having the installers on the USB stick for people to install themselves. This way you are re-distributin unaltered installers only.
It might also be worthwhile to have the people that get the USB flash drive visit PortableApps.com to ensure they have the latest releases and might pick out additional applications.
Please contact John T. Haller for specific license issues concerning the possibilities of re-distribution of pre-installed PortableApps.
your probably thinking of Damn Small Linux
http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/usb.html
So long as it's being given away rather than sold I think you should be fine. Everything here is free and open source.
If there is a problem you will be sent a cease and desist order.
Ed
mandriva's website. it is located Here.
Zoop
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/
The above site WAS selling preinstalled linux distros on USB keys. However it appears that they have stopped again. They are again a purely informational site on how to install just about any Linux distro onto a USB key. Good site to have around to play with different distros and such.
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