Why I Refuse to Call It GNU/Linux

“When listening to others talk about GNU/Linux it always strikes
me as odd the argument that is used. That the Linux kernel was made
usable by the marriage of the GNU tool set to it so therefor it
should be called GNU/Linux as it is a blending of the two and Linux
is only the kernel. On the face of it this argument makes sense…
if one doesn’t think about it too deeply.

“There are however a few things I would like to point out. The
GNU tools are released under the GPL, which does not carry a
branding clause. This means in effect I can take those tools, do
nothing at all to them, and rename them. Henceforth I can call them
the ‘Azerthoth Tool set and Compiling modules’ and there is not a
thing that can be done about it legally. Making that change stick
in the eyes of the public, odds probably arent that good. As long
as I don’t change the license though, all I really have to worry
about are the purists and Stallmanites flaming me into
oblivion…”

Complete Story