I have developed a customized desktop os similar with Mac OS X.
It is new distribution customized from Ubuntu 11.10 and Mac4Lin for specific users.
Now I am going to distribute this linux to users.
I am not sure that there are any license issues, regarding Apple's license to Aqua UI.
I know that use of the Aqua user interface is only licensed for Apple hardware running an Apple operating system.
Can I distribute or sell officially it to users?
It will violate copyright or license?
I am seeking expert advice.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Integration of Mac4Lin with a Linux distribution is fine as long as you
don't sell it. I don't have any specific license. Since my work on Mac4Lin
is all free and open source, I believe Apple never cared. If I were you, I
would NOT sell this distribution. Keep it free and open source.
I have developed a customized desktop os similar with Mac OS X.
It is new distribution customized from Ubuntu 11.10 and Mac4Lin for
specific users.
Now I am going to distribute this linux to users.
I am not sure that there are any license issues, regarding Apple's license
to Aqua UI.
I know that use of the Aqua user interface is only licensed for Apple
hardware running an Apple operating system.
Can I distribute or sell officially it to users?
It will violate copyright or license?
I am seeking expert advice.
Thanks Anirudh.
Apple has threatened legal action against those who made themes similar to their look and feel.
Mac4Lin is under Apple's Aqua UI license or GPL or LGPL?
Some day, Apple will not sue Mac4Lin or my linux distro?
If people use my MacOSX style Linux on iMac, It will be violation of Aqua UI license?
This is what i am bothering.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Mac4Lin is under LGPL. Mac4Lin is no longer in development, hence it maybe
safe. I'm not sure.
The safest way is to exclude all Icons and Cursor themes. You can go ahead
with the GTK, Metacity etc. themes. They use no components from Mac OSX.
They are coded from scratch in GTK. Icons and Cursors are not. So if you
eliminate those you can be sure they don't have any case against you!
Thanks Anirudh.
Apple has threatened legal action against those who made themes similar to
their look and feel.
Mac4Lin is under Apple's Aqua UI license or GPL or LGPL?
Some day, Apple will not sue Mac4Lin or my linux distro?
If people use my MacOSX style Linux on iMac, It will be violation of Aqua
UI license?
This is what i am bothering.
Users are familiar with Mac OS Aqua UI.
My distribution helps them migrate from Mac OS to Linux gradually.
So, I can't use GTK or Metacity.
In future, Mac4Lin will be not alive? My distribution is based on Mac4Lin.
What's your next plan?
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
I'm not sure you if understand what GTK or Metacity means. Mac4Lin is a
collection of components - GTK+Metacity UI, Icons and cursors. Icons and
cursors are derived from MacOSX. Apple will definitely come after you if
you sell Mac4Lin bundled distribution. The GTK+Metacity components have
been written from scratch since it is all GTK programming and images.
Users are familiar with Mac OS Aqua UI.
My distribution helps them migrate from Mac OS to Linux gradually.
So, I can't use GTK or Metacity.
In future, Mac4Lin will be not alive? My distribution is based on Mac4Lin.
What's your next plan?
Thanks for your reply.
So, do you mean that Apple will not come after me, if I distribute free to users?
Only icons and cursors are under the license of Apple's Aqua UI?
If you are me, how will you do it?
Please give me advice.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
No, as long as you include the Icons and Cursor themes from Mac4Lin you
risk Apple's wrath. Break down Mac4Lin into multiple components - include
the Mac4Lin GTK and Metacity themes in your distribution and leave the Icon
and Cursor themes to the user to download and install. You are safe that
way.
Thanks for your reply.
So, do you mean that Apple will not come after me, if I distribute free to
users?
Only icons and cursors are under the license of Apple's Aqua UI?
If you are me, how will you do it?
Please give me advice.
Sorry but one more question.
Do you know Macbuntu?
Macbuntu is a MacOS X like linux distro dedicated to Ubuntu.
Macbuntu includes all icons and cursor themes in itself.
What do you think about Macbuntu?
Macbuntu viloates Apple's license?
Macbunut can't be officially distributed to users?
Thanks for your kind reply.
Last edit: JangWu 2012-11-20
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Sorry, I haven't seen or used Macbuntu lately and am in no way qualified to comment on that.
My answer is simple, take a Linux Distribution and Mac4Lin GTK+Metacity/XFCE themes, bundle them together. If you want to bundle anything else (Icons/Cursors from the theme) then you are on your own.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
I have developed a customized desktop os similar with Mac OS X.
It is new distribution customized from Ubuntu 11.10 and Mac4Lin for specific users.
Now I am going to distribute this linux to users.
I am not sure that there are any license issues, regarding Apple's license to Aqua UI.
I know that use of the Aqua user interface is only licensed for Apple hardware running an Apple operating system.
Can I distribute or sell officially it to users?
It will violate copyright or license?
I am seeking expert advice.
Hi,
Integration of Mac4Lin with a Linux distribution is fine as long as you
don't sell it. I don't have any specific license. Since my work on Mac4Lin
is all free and open source, I believe Apple never cared. If I were you, I
would NOT sell this distribution. Keep it free and open source.
On Sun, Nov 18, 2012 at 2:51 AM, JangWu supertalent1982@users.sf.netwrote:
--
Anirudh
Thanks Anirudh.
Apple has threatened legal action against those who made themes similar to their look and feel.
Mac4Lin is under Apple's Aqua UI license or GPL or LGPL?
Some day, Apple will not sue Mac4Lin or my linux distro?
If people use my MacOSX style Linux on iMac, It will be violation of Aqua UI license?
This is what i am bothering.
Mac4Lin is under LGPL. Mac4Lin is no longer in development, hence it maybe
safe. I'm not sure.
The safest way is to exclude all Icons and Cursor themes. You can go ahead
with the GTK, Metacity etc. themes. They use no components from Mac OSX.
They are coded from scratch in GTK. Icons and Cursors are not. So if you
eliminate those you can be sure they don't have any case against you!
On Sun, Nov 18, 2012 at 6:39 PM, JangWu supertalent1982@users.sf.netwrote:
--
Anirudh
Users are familiar with Mac OS Aqua UI.
My distribution helps them migrate from Mac OS to Linux gradually.
So, I can't use GTK or Metacity.
In future, Mac4Lin will be not alive? My distribution is based on Mac4Lin.
What's your next plan?
I'm not sure you if understand what GTK or Metacity means. Mac4Lin is a
collection of components - GTK+Metacity UI, Icons and cursors. Icons and
cursors are derived from MacOSX. Apple will definitely come after you if
you sell Mac4Lin bundled distribution. The GTK+Metacity components have
been written from scratch since it is all GTK programming and images.
Yes, Mac4Lin is no longer in development.
On Sun, Nov 18, 2012 at 10:38 PM, JangWu supertalent1982@users.sf.netwrote:
--
Anirudh
Thanks for your reply.
So, do you mean that Apple will not come after me, if I distribute free to users?
Only icons and cursors are under the license of Apple's Aqua UI?
If you are me, how will you do it?
Please give me advice.
No, as long as you include the Icons and Cursor themes from Mac4Lin you
risk Apple's wrath. Break down Mac4Lin into multiple components - include
the Mac4Lin GTK and Metacity themes in your distribution and leave the Icon
and Cursor themes to the user to download and install. You are safe that
way.
On Mon, Nov 19, 2012 at 6:20 PM, JangWu supertalent1982@users.sf.netwrote:
--
Anirudh
Sorry but one more question.
Do you know Macbuntu?
Macbuntu is a MacOS X like linux distro dedicated to Ubuntu.
Macbuntu includes all icons and cursor themes in itself.
What do you think about Macbuntu?
Macbuntu viloates Apple's license?
Macbunut can't be officially distributed to users?
Thanks for your kind reply.
Last edit: JangWu 2012-11-20
Sorry, I haven't seen or used Macbuntu lately and am in no way qualified to comment on that.
My answer is simple, take a Linux Distribution and Mac4Lin GTK+Metacity/XFCE themes, bundle them together. If you want to bundle anything else (Icons/Cursors from the theme) then you are on your own.