Fedora Freedom and linux-libre

[Les Mikesell]

Alexandre Oliva wrote:
> 
>> or add my own changes to it.
> 
> No, in order to modify a work you need permission from the copyright
> holder and, in some jurisdictions, also from the author (in case the
> author is allowed by law to assign the copyright to other parties
> while retaining moral rights, one of which is to object to
> modifications; this may sound alien to US-centered folks, but it's in
> the Berne convention and implemented in various legislations around
> the world)

It turns out, "this depends...". You specifically have the right, in the 
US, at least, to make changes that are "an essential step in the 
utilization of the computer program".  Which turns out to include adding 
  improvements you need.

http://www.techlawjournal.com/topstories/2005/20051107.asp

And the court noted that no damage was done to the copyright holder by 
someone else modifying their own copy of a work.

-- 
   Les Mikesell
    lesmikesell at gmail.com