Under what license is Linux released?

Linux is primarily released under the GNU General Public License (GPL). This license was created to ensure that the software remains free and open-source, allowing users to run, study, modify, and distribute the software. The GPL stipulates that any derivative work must also be distributed under the same license terms, preserving the freedom associated with the original software. This central tenet of the GPL has contributed to the widespread adoption and collaborative development of Linux, fostering a large community of developers and users who contribute to its improvement and maintenance.

The other licenses mentioned serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics. The Apache License is known for its permissiveness and allows for more flexibility in how the software can be used, including the ability to incorporate proprietary code. The MIT License also promotes freedom and allows redistribution with minimal restrictions, but does not carry the same requirements for derivative works as the GPL. The Creative Commons License is primarily designed for creative works such as art, writing, and educational material, rather than software. Each of these alternatives reflects different philosophies about software distribution and user freedoms, but it is the GPL that is foundational to the ethos and development model of Linux.