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Am I allowed to create a Linux distro (GPL license), which will include also some proprietary software and distribute this distro to the third parties (license issues related to closed-source software are OK, the proprietary software cannot be licensed under the GPL compatible terms)?

It is clear that proprietary software is not compatible with GPL. On the other hand, the proprietary software always run in separate process and therefore according to my opinion it should not be considered a derivative work by the GPL terminology.

If not, is it legal (and morally correct) to install the software during the first run of the distro?

Related questions unfortunately do not give any clear answer:

  1. https://stackoverflow.com/questions/9985706/licensing-selling-proprietary-software-bundled-in-a-linux-distro
  2. Self-distributing proprietary software on Linux?
Community
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Radim Burget
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    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is about licensing or legal issues, not programming or software development. [See here](http://meta.stackoverflow.com/questions/274963/questions-about-licensing/274964#274964) for details, and the [help] for more. – JasonMArcher Jun 05 '15 at 03:20

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Am I allowed to create a Linux distro (GPL license), which will include also some proprietary software

This depends on the programs, libraries etc. that are already in your distro.

On the other hand, the proprietary software always run in separate process and therefore according to my opinion it should not be considered a derivative work by the GPL terminology.

If the software is not based on licensed parts (eg. libraries or the kernel) and not forced otherwise to GPL, this should be fine.

If not, is it legal (and morally correct) to install the software during the first run of the distro?

You can the user if he wants to do install or you tell him how to get the software - this is really ok.

There are many popular distro's around, which ask the user within the installation process if he want's to install non-free 3rd party software.

Depending on the intent of your distro: Not all people want proprietary software on their linux - even if they can. A nice gesture is giving the user the choice. As stated above: eg. you can ask and install or tell him how to get the software.

ollo
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