As a former Windows user I was used to accepting EULA's and other licenses when installing any piece of software, or when installing the whole OS. On Ubuntu it happens extremely rarely (I've met it only once). Is it correct? Ubuntu and most of it's software is under some free-to-use-and-modify license like GNU GPL or something similar, but shouldn't the license be presented to the user?
Ubuntu – Why isn’t a license shown when installing (and when installing most software)
gpllicense
Related Solutions
Ubuntu is under a mix of licenses, each individual package has its copy right file under /usr/share/doc/PACKAGE/copyright, e.g. /usr/share/doc/gnome-panel/copyright All packages in main & universe are free software & can be modified & redistributed - restricted & multiverse packages fall under other licenses which may not allow this.
See http://www.ubuntu.com/project/about-ubuntu/licensing for more details
It is implied You have accepted the EULA by installing the flash plugin from the software center.
You are shown this warning in the software center.
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Best Answer
This is regarding free software:
A license is very different from a EULA. The software on your computer starts out under the normal (default, in some countries) copyright by the authors. Only then do you get special permission to copy and re-distribute the software under the terms of the GPL. This does not restrict your use of the software, nor does it put any special onus on you to comply with some arbitrary terms. It is not a contract.
Think of the GPL as an agreement of the terms of re-distribution; you are granted license to deal with the software in ways normally prohibited by copyright law, given you agree to some terms.
A EULA restricts your use of the software, it has nothing to do with simple copyright. The EULA says, you may use this software, but not in any way you like. It restricts you further than copyright or trademark law could. Free software doesn't have that kind of restrictions, therefore you don't have to agree to any contract.