It is important to "speak the same language". A short summary of certain terms is set forth below. Additional information related to these terms is located on the Software Release Definitions and Entitlements for Solaris and OpenSolaris OS
i. Solaris Named Release: Solaris Named Releases include significant functionality changes. Solaris Named Releases have a number change such as Solaris 9 to Solaris 10.
ii. Solaris Update: For each Solaris Named Release, Sun may offer several Solaris Updates (sometimes referred to as a Solaris Release); these are designed to provide new functionality in a controlled manner. Solaris Updates contain the software packages included in a Solaris Named Release, and may include Software Updates. Solaris Updates are identified by a date after the related release number, e. g. Solaris 10 10/08aka upgrade
iii. Software Update: Frequently referred to as patches, Software Updates include fixes and feature enhancements to pre-existing Solaris packages. They are applied on top of a Solaris installation and update the existing packages. Software Updates may contain a mixture of bug fix and feature code.

Sun distributes Solaris both directly to licensees, and indirectly via Sun authorized resellers and OEMs. Solaris may be obtained directly from Sun on the Solaris web site.

The right to reproduce or redistribute Sun's Software Updates (patches), must come from Sun. Set forth below is a brief summary of Sun's current support model.

Sun sells Solaris support either as part of a system support offering or as a Solaris support offering. Such service plans are sold on a system by system basis, and there are unique part numbers for each version of Solaris that Sun supports. Customers are required to provide the hardware serial number of the system that will be covered with Solaris support. Each system using Solaris requires its own support contract.

Sun's authorized SPA partners are authorized by Sun to sell support offerings that include Sun's Software Updates (patches) and technical support. Under Sun's SPA Resell Co-Delivery program, a Sun-authorized partners may sell their own system's support offering which is back-lined to Sun. Please note that where authorized partners resell Sun's Solaris Support Offering the contract struck is directly between Sun and the licensee.

Sun's Solaris OEMs (e.g., Fujitsu, IBM, Dell, HP, etc.) are authorized to resell (and sometimes support) Solaris on the OEMs equipment. These agreements are limited to specific product lines that an OEM sells. Sun OEM agreements do not authorize Solaris OEMs to support Solaris that is not licensed in relation to products included in the Sun OEM agreement.

Unauthorized Support Providers are not authorized by Sun to reproduce or distribute Sun's Solaris Intellectual Property (except, and only to the extent, that Sun's Solaris IP has been distributed under an open source license). Therefore, Unauthorized Support Providers cannot convey to users the right to use any of Sun's Software Updates (patches), and the use of such Software Updates may be illegal.

Sun makes certain Software Updates (patches) available without cost to authorized licensees. These Software Updates are hardware device drivers and security patches only. All other patches are available only to customers with a Solaris Support Contract from Sun or an Authorized partner. With increasingly complex environments and interdependent systems, uptime and availability are more important than ever. Understandably, you want the best support available that fits within your budget that does not compromise your environment. Sun offers a variety of Solaris Support Plans to meet your needs. Such service plans are sold on a system by system basis, and there are unique part numbers for each version of Solaris that Sun supports. Customers are required to provide the hardware serial number of the system that will be covered with Solaris support.

OpenSolaris is a version of the Solaris Operating System that is licensed from Sun under an open source license. The OpenSolaris Operating System offers features designed to help you build and deploy high-performance application services, starting with the Image Packaging System (IPS), continuing to the latest enhancements to the award-winning ZFS and featuring integrated virtualizaton options that span OS, network and storage -- and that's just the beginning. OpenSolaris gives you next generation Solaris technologies coupled with the best in open source software and a vibrant development community.

The copyright policies applicable to Solaris and OpenSolaris are the same, but a different set of rights have been granted by Sun for OpenSolaris. Sun has granted different rights to licensees of OpenSolaris regarding their right to reproduce and/or distribute OpenSolaris. It is important to note that even though OpenSolaris may be reproduced and distributed based upon the rights of the related license agreement, not all Solaris files are licensed under the OpenSolaris model. Specifically, Software Updates (patches) released by Sun are not governed by the same license, so reproduction and distribution of these Software Updates are restricted.

No, a licensee may not assign proxy to a 3rd party to administer the IP on their behalf without Sun's approval.