LinuxDevices.com: Lineo “Licensing” Linux?

[ Thanks to LinuxDevices.com for this link.
]

“Lineo has recently announced one of the largest embedded Linux
design wins to date: through a three-way partnership with
Elitegroup Computing and Bast, Inc., Lineo Embedix Linux will
become the software platform for Linux-based set-top devices in
hotel rooms and apartment complexes throughout the US, Europe, and
Asia (* See news story. *). In Lineo’s press release, they stated
“the agreement provides an initial 50,000 licenses for Bast to
produce Embedix-based set-top” boxes.”

“Licenses for Linux?” you ask. Since “licenses for Linux” is
a bit of an oxymoron, we asked Bryan Sparks, Lineo’s CEO, to
clarify Lineo’s Embedix Linux licensing strategy. Here’s what
we learned.”

“Lehrbaum: Your recent announcement about the Bast set-top box
design win says that Lineo has reached an agreement to provide
50,000 software _licenses_ to Bast. Given the GPL status of Linux,
could you clarify what it is you’re licensing?”

Complete Story