Mozilla Asks for License Integration into Ubuntu
Before Ubuntu users can run the Firefox open source browser, they will henceforth need to accept extensive licensing terms. According to Mark Shuttleworth, the terms were imposed by Mozilla Corporation.
Users of the next Linux version, Intrepid Ibex, will be greeted with a Mozilla End-User License Agreement (EULA) when they open the browser.
In a mailing list, users first declared this license behavior to be a bug and the agreement to be “largely irrelevant to Ubuntu users.” Ubuntu founder Shuttleworththen quickly jumped in to explain: “Mozilla Corporation asked that this be added in order for us to continue to call the browser Firefox.” Not that Shuttleworth is happy with the decision, which he feels does not constitute a “best practice” for users: “It's unfortunate that Mozilla feels this is absolutely necessary.”
Mozilla opened a fierce debate with this demand targeting the popular distribution, with annoyed responses from countless sources. Some users took the imposed EULA to mean that Mozilla’s Firefox is no longer free software. Several even suggested to “take a cue” from Debian and change to Iceweasel/Icedove as the default browser; others voted for the Gnome Epiphany browser.
Only a few users showed understanding for the licensing decision and considered it customary. For example, Vadim Peretokin commented: “Seeing an EULA the first time you launch a browser might be a bit odd to new users, it's not such a huge usability problem. People are used to it.”
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Fedora Asahi Remix 41 Available for Apple Silicon
If you have an Apple Silicon Mac and you're hoping to install Fedora, you're in luck because the latest release supports the M1 and M2 chips.
-
Systemd Fixes Bug While Facing New Challenger in GNU Shepherd
The systemd developers have fixed a really nasty bug amid the release of the new GNU Shepherd init system.
-
AlmaLinux 10.0 Beta Released
The AlmaLinux OS Foundation has announced the availability of AlmaLinux 10.0 Beta ("Purple Lion") for all supported devices with significant changes.
-
Gnome 47.2 Now Available
Gnome 47.2 is now available for general use but don't expect much in the way of newness, as this is all about improvements and bug fixes.
-
Latest Cinnamon Desktop Releases with a Bold New Look
Just in time for the holidays, the developer of the Cinnamon desktop has shipped a new release to help spice up your eggnog with new features and a new look.
-
Armbian 24.11 Released with Expanded Hardware Support
If you've been waiting for Armbian to support OrangePi 5 Max and Radxa ROCK 5B+, the wait is over.
-
SUSE Renames Several Products for Better Name Recognition
SUSE has been a very powerful player in the European market, but it knows it must branch out to gain serious traction. Will a name change do the trick?
-
ESET Discovers New Linux Malware
WolfsBane is an all-in-one malware that has hit the Linux operating system and includes a dropper, a launcher, and a backdoor.
-
New Linux Kernel Patch Allows Forcing a CPU Mitigation
Even when CPU mitigations can consume precious CPU cycles, it might not be a bad idea to allow users to enable them, even if your machine isn't vulnerable.
-
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.5 Released
Notify your friends, loved ones, and colleagues that the latest version of RHEL is available with plenty of enhancements.