Yeah I thought the same thing. Someone pointed out that even creating test accounts probably qualifies as "over the networks."

But it seems silly. And unless mastodon is enforcing this clause against every other instance operator, I'm guessing this is just posturing.

Having said that, I'd like them to continue posturing and getting their concept of federated social media more traction.

Good point, because similar cases have been brought against Vizio and Tesla, among other, this clearly isn't just posturing.

Brought by mastodon and against Vizio and Tesla? Or by some other entity with a similar license?

Mastodon has not sued anyone. Vizio and Tesla have both run afoul of similar GPL licensing and been called out by the same organization (SFC) that's calling out Truth Social.

So like you said, this is clearly not just posturing, Truth Social is legitimately in violation of their license agreement.