Can I sell a computer with linux - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Hanabal · 02-09-2004, 12:38 AM

Hey,

My Question is simple enough.

I want to sell a computer to a second hand dealer, cause i cant be bothered dealing with a private deal. But they wont buy it with no software.

I would also need to give them the cd if i sell it with windows, cause of the whole legal thing. but i need it for my new comp

so anyway, seeing as the shop dealers know nothing, can any of you answer the question.

Would there be any issues if the shop wanted to sell a computer with linux, or are some of the distro's free to sell.

Ive got a copy of knoppix, but if i need to i can get another one.

Hopefully i can, otherwise id have to hunt for someone selling win98 for 5 bucks or something

Silvy · 02-09-2004, 02:44 AM

As far as I know, it is legal to sell an installation or source of software (that is GPL licensed) for any price you wish, under certain conditions among which are:
- You must supply the source of all software.
- You may not impose any other license on that software.

Some distro's build their own software and do not license it under the GPL (SuSe is an example), but many distro's are free to sell/give away/modify/etc.

For more info see the GPL license: FSF License page
Ensure that any software you want to sell, is under a free (as in speech) license that allows you to.

P.S. I believe the BSD license allows you to sell aswell under easier conditions.
P.P.S. IANAL (I Am Not A Lawyer)

irseg · 02-09-2004, 03:03 AM

Furthermore you're selling the computer, not Linux. So in my opinion that makes it even less of a potential issue.

Silvy · 02-09-2004, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by irseg
Furthermore you're selling the computer, not Linux. So in my opinion that makes it even less of a potential issue.

No, if you have software on that computer, you must be allowed to sell it/give it away/copy it or it is illegal. Luckily many free (as in speech) software allows you to do that. Microsoft Windows' license however does not as far as I know. And still, if it does you will need to hand over all rights to that software cd/manual/etc and not keep a copy for yourself as the original poster has pointed out.

Hanabal · 02-09-2004, 10:37 AM

thanks for your help, ill check out the GPL page and see what i can do, Then ive got the next problem of explaining what linux is to the shop dude,

Damnit, it's looking like its going to be more hassle than privately, damnit damnit

User Name · 02-09-2004, 03:24 PM

Here's an idea. Why don't you give the dealer the original Windows CD (provided it's not XP) and leave for yourself the backup copy that you burned but accidentally forgot to destroy

.

Hanabal · 02-09-2004, 04:07 PM

unfortunatly it is xp, but oh well

02-09-2004, 12:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
Hanabal Insane Location: Auckland	Can I sell a computer with linux Hey, My Question is simple enough. I want to sell a computer to a second hand dealer, cause i cant be bothered dealing with a private deal. But they wont buy it with no software. I would also need to give them the cd if i sell it with windows, cause of the whole legal thing. but i need it for my new comp so anyway, seeing as the shop dealers know nothing, can any of you answer the question. Would there be any issues if the shop wanted to sell a computer with linux, or are some of the distro's free to sell. Ive got a copy of knoppix, but if i need to i can get another one. Hopefully i can, otherwise id have to hunt for someone selling win98 for 5 bucks or something __________________ I am Hanabal, Phear my elephants

02-09-2004, 02:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
Silvy paranoid Location: The Netherlands	As far as I know, it is legal to sell an installation or source of software (that is GPL licensed) for any price you wish, under certain conditions among which are: - You must supply the source of all software. - You may not impose any other license on that software. Some distro's build their own software and do not license it under the GPL (SuSe is an example), but many distro's are free to sell/give away/modify/etc. For more info see the GPL license: FSF License page Ensure that any software you want to sell, is under a free (as in speech) license that allows you to. P.S. I believe the BSD license allows you to sell aswell under easier conditions. P.P.S. IANAL (I Am Not A Lawyer) __________________ "Do not kill. Do not rape. Do not steal. These are principles which every man of every faith can embrace. " - Murphy MacManus (Boondock Saints)

02-09-2004, 10:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
Hanabal Insane Location: Auckland	thanks for your help, ill check out the GPL page and see what i can do, Then ive got the next problem of explaining what linux is to the shop dude, Damnit, it's looking like its going to be more hassle than privately, damnit damnit __________________ I am Hanabal, Phear my elephants

02-09-2004, 04:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Hanabal Insane Location: Auckland	unfortunatly it is xp, but oh well __________________ I am Hanabal, Phear my elephants

02-09-2004, 03:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
irseg Junkie Location: Florida	Furthermore you're selling the computer, not Linux. So in my opinion that makes it even less of a potential issue.

02-09-2004, 03:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
User Name Banned Location: Urf	Here's an idea. Why don't you give the dealer the original Windows CD (provided it's not XP) and leave for yourself the backup copy that you burned but accidentally forgot to destroy .