[OT] The GPL and possible violations

[Don Bedsole]

Hi,
Ok, I have to admit, I have not been playing close attention to this 
discussion, but what I have seen has raised a question for me.  I would like 
a clarification.  Do I, as an end user have the right to install non-GPL 
software (e.g. RealPlayer) on my Linux box if it links to GPL software?  Can 
I install non-GPL software which links to anything it wants to on my 
computer?  Is it legal for non-GPL software distributors (RealPlayer, et. al) 
to furnish software to me which links to GPL software?  Wouldn't it only be a 
problem if I were to somehow redistribute the non-GPL--GPL software 
combination?  In other words, can non-GPL distributors (again RealPlayer for 
example), give me whatever software they want to, which links to whatever it 
wants to, as long as I, the end-user, do not distribute the resulting 
GPL-non--GPL combination?  Thank you.
-- 
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believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
(John 3:16, WEB)