What license is the Linux kernel covered under?

The Linux Kernel is provided under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 2 only (GPL-2.0), as provided in LICENSES/preferred/GPL-2.0, with an explicit syscall exception described in LICENSES/exceptions/Linux-syscall-note, as described in the COPYING file.

What is gplv2 license?

Among today’s more popular OSS licenses is the GNU (of the GNU Project) General Public License Version 2.0, commonly referred to as simply GPL v2. … Initially released in 1991, the GPL 2 is a copyleft license, meaning users must abide by some strict rules and requirements.

What is GPL 3 license?

GPL v3 License: The Basics

Like the GPL v2, GPL 3 is a strong copyleft license, meaning that any copy or modification of the original code must also be released under the GPL v3. In other words, you can take the GPL 3’d code, add to it or make major changes, then distribute your version.

Is Linux a kernel or OS?

Linux, in its nature, is not an operating system; it’s a Kernel. The Kernel is part of the operating system – And the most crucial. For it to be an OS, it is supplied with GNU software and other additions giving us the name GNU/Linux. Linus Torvalds made Linux open source in 1992, one year after it’s creation.

Is GPL a Linux kernel?

The Linux Kernel is provided under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 2 only (GPL-2.0), as published by the Free Software Foundation, and provided in the COPYING file. … The Linux kernel requires the precise SPDX identifier in all source files.

Do Linux kernel developers get paid?

Many contributions to the Linux kernel are done by hobbyists and students. … In 2012, the demand for experienced Linux kernel contributors was far greater than the number of applicants to job opportunities. Being a Linux kernel developer is a great way to get paid to work on open source.

Are Linux kernel developers paid?

Contributors to the kernel outside the Linux Foundation are typically paid to do the work as part of their regular employment (for example, someone that works for a hardware vendor that contributes drivers for their hardware; also companies like Red Hat, IBM, and Microsoft pay their employees to contribute to Linux …

Does Linux make money?

Linux companies like RedHat and Canonical, the company behind the incredibly popular Ubuntu Linux distro, also make much of their money from professional support services as well. … That’s a big part of why companies like Microsoft and Adobe moved to subscription programs. Those annuities are quite profitable.

Why is GPL bad?

The GNU General Public License does not permit incorporating your program into proprietary programs. … This is just simple bad-tempered wall building between proprietary software and GPL software, simply because Stallman and company consider proprietary software to be evil.

How do I get my GNU license?

How to use GNU licenses for your own software

  1. Get a copyright disclaimer from your employer or school.
  2. Give each file the proper copyright notices. …
  3. Add a COPYING file with a copy of the GNU GPL or GNU AGPL.
  4. Also add a COPYING. …
  5. Put a license notice in each file.
  6. (Optionally) make the program display a startup notice.
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