Android OS 100% Free?

Question

Android

Good day everyone!

Does any FL / LE have the right to:
1 - create their own platform based on the latest Android (v.8) with a commercial intent
2 - also integrate with the Google Play marketplace - that is, use Apps from there on their OS.
3 - use a version already modified by someone as the basis of your own (for example, from phone manufacturers, etc.)

It is clear that all modified, root and other versions of the OS are done in approximately the same way, but is it legal, plus are there any restrictions on the OS and on the marketplace ?

Thanks to!

Answer 1

1) yes, take a pure android and go ahead
2) no, Google services require separate licensing
3) no
PS Answering the third question, I assumed that it meant some kind of firmware from the manufacturer. For example, take HTC Sense and modify it - the answer will be "no, you can't." If you take some open source firmware, modify it, comply with the license under which it is published, the answer will be "yes, you can. That is, the correct answer to the third question will be" depends on the license.

Answer 2

IANAL, TINLA.
> Android OS 100% Free?
No.
> Does any FL/LE have the right to:
> 1 - create their own platform based on the latest Android (v.8) with
> commercial intent
Yes , Android is based on free software, that is, those that by definition [0] can be for any purpose, including commercial, distribute them for a fee or not, modify them at your own discretion, distribute these changes.
However, Google will not allow you to call it “Android”.
[0] https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html
> 2 - also integrate with the Google Play marketplace - i.e.
> use Apps from there on your OS.
Hetc. Both the Google programs themselves and the services for which they are written are not available to everyone. Google has a very tough discriminatory policy, the essence of which is by no means the money that it will have to pay.
> 3 - use a version already modified by someone as the basis of your
> (for example, from phone manufacturers, etc.)
Yes or no.
A substantial portion of Android is not copyrighted [1], meaning that the "manufacturer" is not required to retain the aforementioned rights of free use and modification for its users, but may retain them. As a rule, this is exactly what happens.
Often this puts an end to the possibility of legally distributing ready-made operating systems for machines sold with Android preinstalled.
Plus, if by “improvements” we mean separate programs, then it is simply impossible to release them and oblige “producers”. They are almost always free.
At the same time, developments that are not related to the "manufacturers" are also free. Perhaps the most notable example is LineageOS [2] (formerly CyanogenMod).
[1] https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/copyleft.html
[2] https://www.lineageos.org