All Questions
41 questions
8
votes
1
answer
6k
views
I made a license for my X.com account. Is this legally binding?
So I made this license, in the style of GPL3 as a humorous pinned post for my profile on X.com. But now I'm wondering if this is actually legally binding? I would like it to be.
Account Content ...
- 83
5
votes
2
answers
283
views
AGPLv3 - Does indirect use over intermediary servers constitute "distribution"?
Let's say I'm building an app consisting of a frontend, backend and database.
The database software is AGPLv3.0 licensed and running on the database server.
The backend is proprietary, running on the ...
- 153
2
votes
0
answers
52
views
Change copyright author after forking GPL v2 code? [duplicate]
Say I fork the source code here, modify the code, and finally distribute the source code and the derived work.
Can I change the copyright notice at the top from
# Copyright 1999-2022 Gentoo Authors
# ...
- 121
3
votes
1
answer
357
views
Importing GPLv3'd code: Which copyright notice to add to my own code?
Let's say I import some header files (or Python modules) which are under GPLv3 into a source file that I would like to publish as Open Source (OS), and also signify that I have copyright on that ...
- 93
3
votes
1
answer
110
views
Can GPLv3 contributions to a separate project be used without attribution?
I recently forked a relatively new GPLv3 project on GitHub, as it had seemingly been abandoned not long after its creator had published it, and I wanted to make some improvements, as it was in a ...
- 33
3
votes
1
answer
135
views
Citing project with license but without copyright notice
The authors of a project whose code I wish to use and is licensed under GPL-3.0-or-later have failed to provide a copyright notice. I know what their GitHub organization is. How should I cite their ...
- 235
2
votes
0
answers
106
views
Java Licensing Question
I have questions about Java licensing Well, after many court hearings with Oracle vs Google, I analyzed this topic again and I would like to ask you about a few things:
Oracle was accusing Google of ...
- 930
2
votes
0
answers
49
views
If the original author updates their program, is it now a modified work? [duplicate]
Lets say programmer Ed has made program foo and the program is licensed under the GPL license. If Ed updates his program, is that now a derivative or modified work? What if John contributes to ...
- 21
4
votes
1
answer
756
views
GPL and original author's copyright text in completely rewritten code
I'm about to release my first "big" project on Github, and although I want it to remain open-source and I have no plan of selling it, I want to try to make this licensing stuff right for my ...
- 43
4
votes
3
answers
3k
views
How to properly attribute other's people work on GitHub?
I have an open source project (under GPL license) that has some parts incorporated from other projects (that use MIT and GPL), and one of the provisions of both of these licenses is The above ...
- 51
2
votes
1
answer
137
views
Dealing with multiple contributions in a 30+ years old software project
Context: I'm working on an old software project which dates back to 1988. I collaborate with its main author who created the program back then and originally published it under non-free license in the ...
- 65
4
votes
1
answer
440
views
Custom Linux distro Copyright and license notices
I am developing a commercial product that ships with a custom embedded Linux distro (similar to Yocto), and am in the process of collecting the copyright and license notices to comply with the GPL ...
- 151
3
votes
1
answer
481
views
Is it possible to license that header file to LGPL but implementation to proprietary license
Suppose someone is writing a proprietary software that uses a shared or dynamic library that is licensed under the GNU LGPL license. If he wants to change the LGPL library code, he make some functions ...
- 33
2
votes
1
answer
159
views
GPL libraries on my software
I am attempting to write a Hobbyist OS and found that the CuteOS project is very useful for reference and libraries. The only issue is: it's under the GPLv2, and from my understanding if you use a ...
- 23
1
vote
0
answers
83
views
Shapefiles in R maps package (GPL-2)
I hope this is the right forum for this question, I came her form stackoverflow. I would like to include some world maps in my academic publication. As the title suggests, I am working with the maps ...
- 111
3
votes
1
answer
443
views
Time limit to supply source code under GPL
About a week ago I found some commercial software that is closed source using two GPL v2 licensed packages in the binaries. I emailed the company back and forth and they finally agreed that they would ...
- 31
3
votes
1
answer
325
views
GPL/BSD-like Dual license add special clauses to the GPL
Quick question: I would like to publish a software under a self-written BSD-like license, and under the GPLv3. So far so good.
If somebody would fork said project according to the GPL, I would, in my ...
- 133
5
votes
2
answers
103
views
Is Flameshot mislabeled on the Ubuntu Software Center?
Recently, I have seen Flameshot labeled as proprietary on the Ubuntu Software Center:
(german text, "Proprietär" means "proprietary")
Is Flameshot mislabeled on the Software Center, as it's official ...
- 215
6
votes
2
answers
242
views
How do I use GNU licensed code copyrighted by the original author?
I am writing open-source code based on another author's open-source code. The original author licensed the code under the GNU Public License and copyrighted it under his name. I am, of course, ...
2
votes
2
answers
450
views
Can the developer of GPL software assert copyright/usage claims over assets generated with that software?
Given that I create a 3d model of a tree using a GPL plugin in GPL 3D software (Blender). The addon generates this 3d tree model from scratch, using an algorithm. No other external assets are used.
...
- 33
0
votes
1
answer
108
views
Can the fine print (ToS) of Github permit them to seize copyright of my code if someone else uploaded it? [duplicate]
I was alarmed to see that someone uploaded one of my old GPL'd projects to Github. I don't use Github or any other Microsoft product. Github has refused to remove it however, and suggests I contact ...
user15474
3
votes
1
answer
391
views
As the owner of a GPLv3 project, what type of restrictions will be placed on me if I accept contributions?
For example, will accepting someone's copyrighted contribution prohibit me from changing the license, accepting donations towards the project, or anything else?
- 121
4
votes
2
answers
168
views
Release GPL/Open version of project, still sell proprietary license?
Having witnessed projects such as LUFA, which are open source with the MIT license but still have a purchase button for a proprietary license of the toolbox (revoking the MIT License and offering ...
- 143
3
votes
1
answer
205
views
Extending GPL project with Paid license features
I found some GPL v3 licensed open source projects that also have paid enterprise license versions with more useful features.
I only need 10% of the features available in the (expensive) enterprise ...
3
votes
5
answers
978
views
Who is the copyright holder when GPLv2 project API is used?
I've read a lot of articles and still can't find the answer to the following question.
There is a project that uses GNU General Public License version 2 license, developed by CompanyX. We (...
3
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Can someone explain the basic requirements of Open Source Qt LGPL to a beginner?
I’m a automotive electronic and electrical engineer with little to no software experience.
I need to hire a developer to develop Windows GUI application that is used to configure and program a ...
- 139
3
votes
1
answer
381
views
How should I license my project if it can install GPL-based plugins?
I'm developing a software which has two parts, kernel and plugins, their code are completely separated. Here's the question:
Some of the plugins should be GPL based, as they invoked GPL code.
The ...
- 39
3
votes
1
answer
14k
views
Can i use a GPLv2 module in my commercial application?
I am developing a commercial wordpress plugin. There is a form module that i have to develop however, i found one already built under GPL2 here
https://github.com/weDevsOfficial/weforms
All other ...
-1
votes
1
answer
119
views
Can I commercially use a fixed source code distributed under GPL?
There is this source code on GitHub (a PHP class, around 200 lines of code) distributed under GPL license which has some bugs and is not useful to me unless those bugs are fixed. If I fix those bugs, ...
- 99
5
votes
1
answer
397
views
Splitting a project into copyright and copyleft
Say I've been working on this java project for over a year, and it's necessary for this project to reference a GNU GPL licensed software library somewhere in there, then the whole thing suddenly poof ...
- 185
14
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Projects which require copyright assignment from contributors?
I read the following in ØMQ - The Guide (in Chapter 6, in the section Licensing and Ownership):
All patches are owned by their authors. There SHALL NOT be any copyright assignment process.
Here we ...
- 339
3
votes
3
answers
3k
views
To which extent GPL license contaminates my project?
We're planning to develop an Windows application which simulates an embedded system containing 2 applications (that communicate through OS messages) and sell it as a whole package
appication "F": we ...
9
votes
2
answers
992
views
Under what licenses can I release open source software that uses PyQt?
Situation
I have two software packages for which I need to choose a license and I'm not sure if they get along with the PyQt licensing schema (which uses the GNU GPL).
Package A uses PyQt in a sense ...
- 475
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
Does the GNU GPL imply that I hold copyright?
Would it be possible to release my copyright (essentially put it in the public domain) but still have the software licensed under the GNU GPL?
user7644
0
votes
1
answer
390
views
Use babylon glossary in an open source (GPL) dictionary app
I want use babylon glossary in an open source (GPL) dictionary app.
They don't have any license in them. Can I use them?
What about glossaries of commercial dictionaries like oxford, longman, …? Ccan ...
- 135
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Is it legal to monetize from someone else's software?
I was wondering if I copy someone else's software and make some design changes and try to make money from it. Is it legal?
Which licenses provides a facility for that?
- 127
16
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why does the FSF make this recommendation about ranges of copyright years?
In the document “How to use GNU licenses for your own software”, the FSF says:
For software with several releases over multiple years, it's okay to use a range (“2008-2010”) instead of listing ...
- 313
3
votes
1
answer
102
views
Open source licences and copyrighting
My question is: where lies the border for a programmer to copyright new software when in GNU/linux basically everything is released on very restrictive licences that force you to copyleft your work?
...
- 55
27
votes
2
answers
5k
views
So the GPL doesn't restrict the creator of the software in any way?
In another thread I started (Red Hat buys Ansible), I am trying to figure out the economic value of a company transaction with respect to GPL'ed software. A few of the answers suggest that the owners ...
- 519
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
GPLv3: Re-Release app under different branding
I have build an open source audiobook player which is licensed under gpl v3.
Yesterday someone sent me a mail with the topic 'Violation of source code license' including a link to an app that seems ...
Paul Woitaschek
13
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Removing the original copyright line from footer
There's this web app licensed under GPLv3 that I'd like to deploy. However, the footer of each page has a copyright line, e.g., "© 2015 FooBar Inc.". Is it okay to remove that line and/or replace it ...
- 231