Redistributing CentOS As Part Of A Package

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Hi all,

I’m developing a program that is not a distro, per-se, but sort of acts like one. Basically, it’s a modified CentOS ISO with some extra RPMs added, unneeded RPMs removed and containing a modified boot screen and install selection list.

The list says “CentOS“, so a user knows the installed appliance will be based on CentOS, but it also has our project’s branding along with it
(splash screen, our custom installer’s images and text, etc). We do not modify /etc/issue, /etc/redhat-release or so one.

So I wanted to ask the community if this is OK, as I think I’m sitting in something of a gray area between a straight custom CentOS ISO and a new distro. If this isn’t the right place to ask, a pointer to the right place would be much appreciated.

I am happy to answer any further questions (here or in private) from the CentOS team if it would help clarify things.

Cheers!

3 thoughts on - Redistributing CentOS As Part Of A Package

  • You can’t do that and be in agreement with the terms of our logo/name trademark usage rules.

    But you COULD do this:

    Not mess with the installer, repodata, or directories and files we put on the ISO .. but, in a separate directory on the media, add in your packages and install them via a kickstart instead so it installs non modified CentOS and THEN your packages.

    If you MODIFY items we provide, you can not say it is CentOS (so you need to rebrand). If you add things to it on the end, then you can call it “your program on CentOS Linux”.

    The bottom line is, you can’t change the files we create or the repodata/installer and still call it CentOS.

    And before someone complains, you also can’t take a Debian (or Ubuntu or Fedora, etc) install iso, and modify the installer to change the content then distribute it and call it Debian (or Ubuntu or Fedora).

    Thanks, Johnny Hughes

  • I’m asking because I want to play nice, so I appreciate your reply.

    I’m fine with leaving the stock Packages and repodata alone if that is what is needed. I assume that, if I use this other directory, I can include the updated RPMs released since the last y-stream release?

    Assuming this is enough, how would changing the initial boot screen to add our project’s install options work? Our project is called “Striker”, so could I create a custom boot screen that said “Install Striker {1,2}
    on CentOS 6.6” and be OK?

    Perhaps another way to look at this is;

    What if I didn’t use the “CentOS” name in the ISO name or install screens? I’d rather give credit to CentOS, but if I can remove the CentOS branding during the install then my current approach will continue to work. If I went this route, though, would I be obligated to strip the CentOS branding across the board? If so, I’m not interested in that.

    Another option, which I freely admit to knowing little about at this time, are the SIGs. Perhaps the better approach is to create a SIG?
    Perhaps this is not at all appropriate…

    I should mention; Our project[1][2] is full open source, in case that makes a difference.

    Thanks for such a quick reply!

    digimer.

    1. https://github.com/digimer/striker
    2. https://alteeve.ca/w/AN!Cluster_Tutorial_2