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this post was submitted on 20 Jul 2023
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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The GNU/Linux GPLv2 does not apply to any software developed and owned by Red Hat like all of the Red Hat security programs, that is not covered by the Linux license. If Red Hat never modifies or changes a single line of code in GNU/Linux, they are free to run closed source programs on top of it. They own .rpm file format so they have the legal freedom to make the system and all RH software proprietary.
That's how Rocky and Alma are now permanently locked out from accessing the code.
Until someone gives legal notice to IBM lawyers forcing Red Hat source code to be released pulicly, all of this debating over it means jack nothing.
If nobody takes IBM to court, the matter is settled and all developers must accept Red Hat's choices.
If they dismiss the online talk, ignore all criticisms, and nobody pays for a lawsuit, the case is done and finished.
I'm not trying skip over your points, as I said from my first first, everybody can talk all they want, who has the power of persuasion or legal force to change IBM's decision?
I may be wrong, but I believe only the Linux Foundation is a position to call IBM CTO, President, whoever, and say "We heard about the changes to with holding Red Hat's source code, you will not be doing that, it shall remain public. If you want to discuss this further, please send your most expensive lawyers to our offices and we will explain in detail why you won't be doing that."
The likely retaliation RH/IBM would take is simply banning the account, not starting a lawsuit immediately. However, rights holders may attempt sue before or after such an event, but likely after.
RH thinks they have the right to distribute code in this manner, and they can keep doing so until challenged in court. You can do actions in general without asking the court every time, I think the same applies here as well.
I personally think it is a violation in a strict sense, but at the same time I don't think it really matters too much realistically. Stream is upstream RHEL, and they are very similar, and at some points in time, should be identical. It's also not clear what you get exactly by suing RH/IBM. The likely case is that they settle or rule to have that section removed from the ToS.