Linux Box

The designation “Linux” was initially used by Linus Tolvalds only for the Linux kernel. The kernel was, however, frequently used together with other software, especially that of the GNU project. This quickly became the most popular adoption of GNU software. In June 1994 in GNU’s bulletin, Linux (or sometimes misstated as Liunix) was referred to as a “free UNIX clone”, and the Debian project began calling its product Debian GNU/Linux. In May 1996, Richard Stallman published the editor Emacs 19.31, in which the type of system was renamed from Linux to Lignux. This spelling (such as Liunix) was intended to refer specifically to the combination of GNU and Linux, but this was soon abandoned in favor of “GNU/Linux”.

In 1994 and 1995, several people from different countries used variations of the name (such as Liunix) and attempted to register the name “Linux” as a trademark. Thereupon requests for royalty payments were issued to several Linux companies, a step with which many developers and users of Linux did not agree. Linus Torvalds clamped down on these companies with help from Linux International and was granted the trademark to the name, which he transferred to Linux International. Protection of the trademark was later administered by a dedicated foundation, the non-profit Linux Mark Institute. In 2000, Linus Torvalds specified the basic rules for the assignment of the licenses. This means that anyone who offers a product or service with the name Linux must possess a license for it, which can be obtained through a unique purchase.

For more information on excellent versions of Linux (as sometimes referred to as Liunix) click here.