Suse/Novell licensing?
 

I bought the boxed set of Suse Professional 9.3

How many computers am I allowed to install it on?

I'm confused slightly because of what I know of MS products vs Linux. With Fedora, I can obviously install it on as many computers as I want.... same for Debian... etc.

However, with Suse, what's the deal?

The GPL stipulates that a company can charge for the media the distribution comes on.... and according to that I would think I can install it on as many computers as I want.

At the same time the GPL stipulates that a company providing their own proprietary software can charge for that and license that.

That's where I'm confused. Are there Suse/Novell proprietary programs in the distribution that restrict my ability to install this on more than one computer?

I want to install it on my desktop as well as my laptop (where it is installed already) but I don't want to break the rules (or the law).

Thanks.

"I bought the boxed set of Suse Professional 9.3

How many computers am I allowed to install it on?"

There is no limit to the number of computers that you can install it on.

"That's where I'm confused. Are there Suse/Novell proprietary programs in the distribution that restrict my ability to install this on more than one computer?"

No.

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Steve Stites

thanks.... so it's as simple as that? I can just go ahead and install it on my desktop too and everything will be kosher between me and Novell?

Yes. If you purchase the boxed set, you can install it on as many PC's as you like as long as you don't charge people for it. If you've got a laptop, a couple of desktops, and a spare PC in the garage, you can install SuSE on all of them from your one boxed set and you're in the clear.

What SuSE doesn't allow is for somebody to buy a single boxed set, and then start charging other people to install Linux on their computers from that one copy. If you are simply buying the boxed set and wish to install it on multiple machines that you own, then no worries. As an aside, I consider SuSE to be an excellent distro, and would recommend it without hesitation. Have fun! -- J.W.

Thanks guys. That saves me $100 bucks... woohoo!