What criteria classifies karate as traditional?

First, its origins must be established as from Okinawa. [Okinawan is the birthplace or cradle of karate therefore the system and/or branch much have direct lineage to an indigenous system of karate.

Second, it must be a system/branch of long-established standing. [This means the system/branch must be a time-honored one with a traditional history that speaks to the culture and beliefs of Okinawan's and specifically regarding its history of its indigenous original system called either "Ti or Toudi."]

Third, it must have been developed and created in accordance with traditional Okinawan methods. [As far as can be determined most of the current systems were created from Ti by adepts who reached the level of "HA, i.e. shuhari system," and are on the verge of reaching the "RI" levels.]

Fourth, it must be derived from an inherited pattern of thought or action. [I can see this as the spiritual connections through the Okinawan belief systems, i.e. Confucianism, Shintoism, Buddhism, Zenism, etc. as derived from ancient Chinese classics to include their classics on martial arts.]

Fifth, it must be a custom: a specific practice of long standing. [what is considered a long standing practice? I would classify this as being a minimum of fifty years of practice as to the customs of the Okinawan's]

Sixth, it must be a system or branch of a system that is a part of the Okinawan culture which is passed from person to person or generation to generation, possibly differing in detail, as is customary per the system of shuhari, from family to family, such as the way the Okinawans celebrate what westerners refer to as holidays.]

Seventh, it must be a living transmission of the message of the founder/originator of the system or branch of a system of martial arts. [not a dogmatic adherence but a reverence and transmission of the systems/branches master to all the decedents that are practitioners of said system/branch of system. This must also honor the system of shuhari with "adherence to SHU to all new practitioners through out time."]

Eighth, it must transmit and practice the set of norms, values and beliefs contained in the culture of the Okinawans and passed down from generation to generation.