[TriLUG] Re: gentle reminder

[Mike Mueller]

On Wednesday 28 August 2002 15:27, Roberto J Dohnert wrote:
<snip>
> The threat was worded like this " If you
> continue to preload Red Hat Linux without being a registered OEM we will
> sue you and it doesnt matter if you buy a retail version or not we will not
> offer any support for anybody who buys a computer preloaded with Red Hat
> Linux from any reseller who is not an OEM. 
<snip>

IANAL, but my guess is that the dispute is about representing the distro.  RH 
and SUSE and other commercial distros try to establish a brand and then 
control the distribution channels as is their right.  If I had a distro and a 
support organization, I would size the support based on the predicted sales 
from known channels.  If I had unknown channels supplying unforseen support 
load, I would be blowing my budget.  

RH did lay out the conditions to be an OEM.  You also found SUSE had a 
similar plan at a lesser cost.  If SUSE satisfies your needs at a lower cost 
then you have done one your many jobs as an entrepreneur.  

Here's the hard part of your job though.  Some of your potential customer are 
going to *want* Redhat.  RH is the big dog on the block and people know RH.  
I recommend that you rethink your position later on.  You may find the cost 
of being a RH OEM is not so bad when your volume goes up.  Walk away for now, 
but don't burn the bridge back.
-- 
mueller, mike

The larger purpose of the economic order, including Wall Street, is to 
support the material conditions for human existence, not to undermine and 
destabilize them.

-Editorial, The Nation, August 19, 2002