Re: Pirating Ubuntu?

["Matthew Gillen" <user=50@nabble.blu.org>]

 [hidden email] wrote: 
> Sorry for jumping in late, and maybe I'm covering ground already covered, 
> but this is my understanding of the legalities of publishing a "rip" of an 
> ubuntu purchased at Best Buy. 
> 
> Even if the whole distribution is 100% GPL, LGPL, and BSD code, the 
> "collection" itself represents a unique work that can be copyrighted and 
> protected. For instance, even though zipcodes are public knowledge a 
> database of them is a unique work and can be protected. 

Only to the extent that there is "creative expression" within the collection, 
such as a special ordering of the zipcodes, or in the choice of what to 
include/exclude: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feist_Publications_v._Rural_Telephone_Service#Ruling_of_the_Court

> If it is identical to the ISO image available for download you are 
> probably OK. 
> 
> If it is different than the publicly available image you need to check the 
> copyright on the package. If it is restricted, you are in violation of 
> copyright if you distribute it. 
> 
> If you break it down to the component packages and re-create the ISO 
> image, you need to ensure that no trade marks or proprietary packages or 
> artwork are included.