PfSense Is Closed Source

Re:PfSense Is Closed Source by yjftsjthsd-h on Monday January 25, 2021 @09:33PM (#25911747)

> Hypothetically, if OpnSense were based on Linux instead, the underlying GPLv2 would be attached. In that case, you could not relicense to a closed-source model because

Keep in mind, though, that Linux is only a kernel, so if someone's careful with their components they could build a Linux-based system where Linux was the only component under the GPL, in which case they'd only be obligated to share the kernel source to any user who asks. It would have a slightly unusual-looking userspace in order to avoid GPL components; musl libc, toybox instead of GNU coreutils, no BASH, etc., but this is basically what happened with Android.

(IANAL, of course)

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Re:PfSense Is Closed Source by 35fbe7d3d5b9 on Monday January 25, 2021 @09:39PM (#25911785)

Yup, cheap routers go this path as well[*]: you get a tarball of Linux sources, sometimes completely unchanged from the mainstream release. Keep your special sauce userspace only and you're just fine.

[*]: presuming they care about complying with licenses in the slightest, which many do not.

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