Inquiry About Creating a Modified Distribution Based on Arch Linux
Dear Arch Linux Development Team, I am working on a customized Linux distribution named LinuxToGo, which would be explicitly based on Arch Linux (not a fork). Our goal is to create a specialized Linux distribution derived from Arch Linux, focused exclusively on providing a robust, portable Linux experience bootable directly from external drives (e.g., USB sticks, SSDs, etc.). All releases will prominently state: "LinuxToGo is NOT an official Arch Linux product. It is a modified version of Arch Linux. Official resources can be found at archlinux.org." The project website/documentation will clearly credit Arch Linux as the foundation and link to the official project. Technical Approach The distribution would utilize the Arch Linux package repositories ([core], [extra], [community]) directly where possible. Customizations (e.g., installer scripts, default configurations, or curated software sets) will be developed/maintained separately in our repositories. We will strictly adhere to all relevant Arch Linux trademarks and branding guidelines. I would like to confirm whether this approach aligns with Arch Linux’s policies, particularly regarding: The use of the Arch Linux name/brand in the context of "based on Arch Linux." Distributing pre-configured ISOs that utilize official repositories. Any specific compliance requirements we should follow. We deeply respect the Arch Linux community and philosophy, and wish to ensure full alignment with your guidelines before proceeding. Thank you for your time and consideration. Wtada233 wtada233@outlook.com
Another question: this distribution has a new name LankeOS ---- 回复的原邮件 ---- 发件人 王 奕宁<wtada233@outlook.com> 日期 2025年07月12日 19:15 收件人 arch-general@lists.archlinux.org 抄送至 主题 Inquiry About Creating a Modified Distribution Based on Arch Linux Dear Arch Linux Development Team, I am working on a customized Linux distribution named LinuxToGo, which would be explicitly based on Arch Linux (not a fork). Our goal is to create a specialized Linux distribution derived from Arch Linux, focused exclusively on providing a robust, portable Linux experience bootable directly from external drives (e.g., USB sticks, SSDs, etc.). All releases will prominently state: "LinuxToGo is NOT an official Arch Linux product. It is a modified version of Arch Linux. Official resources can be found at archlinux.org." The project website/documentation will clearly credit Arch Linux as the foundation and link to the official project. Technical Approach The distribution would utilize the Arch Linux package repositories ([core], [extra], [community]) directly where possible. Customizations (e.g., installer scripts, default configurations, or curated software sets) will be developed/maintained separately in our repositories. We will strictly adhere to all relevant Arch Linux trademarks and branding guidelines. I would like to confirm whether this approach aligns with Arch Linux’s policies, particularly regarding: The use of the Arch Linux name/brand in the context of "based on Arch Linux." Distributing pre-configured ISOs that utilize official repositories. Any specific compliance requirements we should follow. We deeply respect the Arch Linux community and philosophy, and wish to ensure full alignment with your guidelines before proceeding. Thank you for your time and consideration. Wtada233 wtada233@outlook.com
"Clone" and "based on" are synonyms. If you don't want a clone, I suggest you to follow LFS. You can use Pacman as your package manager. But in this case, you can't say your users to use Arch Wiki for all documentation needs because somethings would be different in your distro than Arch Linux. 12 Tem 2025 Cmt 23:20 tarihinde wtada233@outlook.com <wtada233@outlook.com> şunu yazdı:
Another question: this distribution has a new name LankeOS
---- 回复的原邮件 ---- 发件人 王 奕宁<wtada233@outlook.com> <wtada233@outlook.com> 日期 2025年07月12日 19:15 收件人 arch-general@lists.archlinux.org 抄送至 主题 Inquiry About Creating a Modified Distribution Based on Arch Linux Dear Arch Linux Development Team,
I am working on a customized Linux distribution named LinuxToGo, which would be explicitly based on Arch Linux (not a fork).
Our goal is to create a specialized Linux distribution derived from Arch Linux, focused exclusively on providing a robust, portable Linux experience bootable directly from external drives (e.g., USB sticks, SSDs, etc.).
All releases will prominently state: "LinuxToGo is NOT an official Arch Linux product. It is a modified version of Arch Linux. Official resources can be found at archlinux.org." The project website/documentation will clearly credit Arch Linux as the foundation and link to the official project. Technical Approach
The distribution would utilize the Arch Linux package repositories ([core], [extra], [community]) directly where possible. Customizations (e.g., installer scripts, default configurations, or curated software sets) will be developed/maintained separately in our repositories. We will strictly adhere to all relevant Arch Linux trademarks and branding guidelines.
I would like to confirm whether this approach aligns with Arch Linux’s policies, particularly regarding:
The use of the Arch Linux name/brand in the context of "based on Arch Linux." Distributing pre-configured ISOs that utilize official repositories. Any specific compliance requirements we should follow. We deeply respect the Arch Linux community and philosophy, and wish to ensure full alignment with your guidelines before proceeding. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Wtada233 wtada233@outlook.com
I can't answer those question. However, a starting point might be https://terms.archlinux.org/docs/trademark-policy/ .
Wtada, Based on my reading of the trademark rules, I think you are fine, but if you want a real answer it's probably best to directly reach out via email at trademarks@archlinux.org Sincerely, Ben On 7/12/25 11:30 AM, wtada233@outlook.com wrote:
Another question: this distribution has a new name LankeOS
---- 回复的原邮件 ---- 发件人 王 奕宁<wtada233@outlook.com> <mailto:wtada233@outlook.com> 日期 2025年07月12日 19:15 收件人 arch-general@lists.archlinux.org <mailto:arch-general@lists.archlinux.org> 抄送至 主题 Inquiry About Creating a Modified Distribution Based on Arch Linux
Dear Arch Linux Development Team,
I am working on a customized Linux distribution named LinuxToGo, which would be explicitly based on Arch Linux (not a fork).
Our goal is to create a specialized Linux distribution derived from Arch Linux, focused exclusively on providing a robust, portable Linux experience bootable directly from external drives (e.g., USB sticks, SSDs, etc.).
All releases will prominently state: "LinuxToGo is NOT an official Arch Linux product. It is a modified version of Arch Linux. Official resources can be found at archlinux.org." The project website/documentation will clearly credit Arch Linux as the foundation and link to the official project. Technical Approach
The distribution would utilize the Arch Linux package repositories ([core], [extra], [community]) directly where possible. Customizations (e.g., installer scripts, default configurations, or curated software sets) will be developed/maintained separately in our repositories. We will strictly adhere to all relevant Arch Linux trademarks and branding guidelines.
I would like to confirm whether this approach aligns with Arch Linux’s policies, particularly regarding:
The use of the Arch Linux name/brand in the context of "based on Arch Linux." Distributing pre-configured ISOs that utilize official repositories. Any specific compliance requirements we should follow. We deeply respect the Arch Linux community and philosophy, and wish to ensure full alignment with your guidelines before proceeding. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Wtada233 wtada233@outlook.com
On 7/14/25 8:49 AM, Ben Stitt wrote:
Wtada,
Based on my reading of the trademark rules, I think you are fine, but if you want a real answer it's probably best to directly reach out via email at trademarks@archlinux.org
Sincerely,
Ben
Wtada, You are approaching the problem correctly. There are two (legal) paths forward for you, in the order of preference: 1) obtain a sign-off, permission, approval (whatever you want to call it) from a person in Archlinux authorized to give such approval. Ben's suggestion to contact trademarks@archlinux.org is a good one to get you in touch with the proper person [*1]. (legally an officer, member, partner or agent are the only people vested with the authority to speak on behalf of an entity); or 2) hire an attorney (whose practice includes FOSS and intellectual property) and obtain a legal opinion about your proposed venture. The first option is always the preferred route as it eliminates any disagreement between you an Archlinux based on your current proposed use of the distribution. Agreement is always the best policy. That said, a large part of the business world is built on the second option. Good luck with your venture. [*1] Archlinux may need to determine who is included in this group depending on it's organizational structure, country of origin or any choice-of-law provisions it has made. -- David C. Rankin, J.D.,P.E.
participants (6)
-
Ben Stitt
-
David C Rankin
-
İsmail Arılık
-
Ralf Mardorf
-
wtada233＠outlook.com
-
王 奕宁