Questions tagged [distribution]
Use this tag if the question concerns the distribution of an object, package or notice to the developer or public community.
3
votes
1answer
392 views
License to disallow distribution in closed source software, but allow exceptions made by owner?
Is there a license (similar to the GNU v3 software license) that forbids the usage of an open-source software in closed-source software, but except parties that receive approval by the original owner (...
-1
votes
1answer
26 views
Proprietary licensing combinations of non-copyleft software
Premise: Software Z (distributed as binary) includes software Y (MIT) and software X (MIT).
Does Software Z need to disclose it's inclusion of Y and X?
Software Z can be distributed under a ...
3
votes
1answer
39 views
GPL v3 - Does freely distributed software that includes GPL licensed code also require sharing source?
The Arkansas Division of Land Surveys shares all of their documents as pdfs with password protection, and they have a little viewer app that has the password built in:
https://surveyor.arkansas.gov/...
4
votes
1answer
71 views
Can I comply with Apache 2.0 license by adding the license text in the binary file?
I'm using an Apache 2.0 licensed library in my closed source software. Let's say I include the Apache 2.0 text file as a "const string" variable in my C code and make sure it makes it to the binary. ...
1
vote
1answer
27 views
A small Go library under GPLv2, rewrite it under modified BSD
Go is using a modified BSD license. I would like to use the same license for some projects, most parts / libraries will be published under an open source license, but clients do demand some of the ...
3
votes
1answer
56 views
Is there a license that “forces leaks”, so to speak?
I am looking for a license that "forces leaks", so to speak. What I mean by that is:
A copyright holder must convey a copy of derivatives works they made using the license to anyone who requests it.
...
1
vote
0answers
34 views
How to update GPL licensed software distributed to a customer without providing the source code on each update?
This question extends my last question about 'How to comply with the GPL when providing auto updates'.
Problem description:
I want to distribute a Debian VM with Debian based docker containers, so ...
5
votes
1answer
67 views
How to comply with the GPL when providing auto updates?
Problem description:
I want to distribute a Debian VM with Debian based docker containers, so far I would just extract the entire source code after the VM is configured and provide the source code on ...
3
votes
1answer
94 views
Can I include license text in my project's README and not add a license file?
When I add a license to a software project I place the text of the license in a file named LICENSE.md in the root of the repository.
Now I want to include the license text in the README.md instead ...
2
votes
2answers
199 views
Selectively distribute a GPL program
Imagine that there is this software, FooBar, which is under the GPLv2 license. Then, in one of your unproductive Saturday afternoons, you modify, let's say a new module, that is a derivative work of ...
1
vote
1answer
54 views
How does Linux with pre-installed binaries comply with binary redistribution license clause?
If I download Linux that comes with a pre-installed program in a binary form licensed under, let's say, BSD 2-clause, how does it comply with the following:
Redistributions in binary form must ...
7
votes
2answers
201 views
Requiring personal info for source code
I bought a Samsung laptop recently. The model is shipped with TCL (Tiny Core Linux) with BusyBox in it. Circumstantial evidence suggests that TCL is modified to meet Samsung's requirements. I found ...
4
votes
2answers
97 views
How to license programming assignments permissively, while preventing solutions from being published?
I have created a few practical programming assignments for a bachelor's course in computer science, which I'm quite proud of. I'd love for my work to be used anywhere, and for any future teachers or ...
3
votes
2answers
60 views
Should I distribute the source code of the build tools for a Linux distribution
If I want to distribute a GNU/Linux distribution as a .iso, I must :
Distribute the source code of the Linux kernel
Distribute the source code of any GPL (or some other license) package included in ...
1
vote
1answer
35 views
What means “distribution” for Open Source licenses (MIT/GPL)?
What means "distribution" for Open Source licenses MIT and GPL?
Is the client side code running on user's browser "distribution" for these licenses?
5
votes
1answer
190 views
NDA with GPL software: can the author decide how/when to disclose?
The GPL FAQ states that is not permitted to sign NDAs when distributing software, as it would be a violation of the redistribution freedom. Let A be an entity that develops a feature on top of an ...
3
votes
1answer
42 views
What is the reasoning behind the FSF's interpretation of the SIL OFL?
On the FSF's page on "Various Licenses and Comments about Them", they state that "you must redistribute [software licensed under the OFL] bundled with some software, rather than alone", but that "a ...
2
votes
1answer
65 views
How to prevent integration with malware and virus of open source software in compiling section?
In every open source software community, there is a small group which pay effort on compiling and packaging open source software.
As a advantage of open source software, everyone can read the source ...
1
vote
1answer
40 views
Distribution and display at fairs / exhibitions
My question is simple: is displaying an unreleased product containing open source software at an exhibition considered distribution?
In particular, I am concerned about GPL obligations. If the ...
1
vote
2answers
663 views
Is selling a cloud service based on a Docker image considered distribution from GPL's viewpoint?
I have read some topics about GPL, Docker images and distribution.
As far as I understand you have to provide the source code of all GPL licensed programs within a Docker image but not your own ...
8
votes
1answer
95 views
DCMA Takedown Notice received for distributing software licensed under Apache 2.0
A browser plugin was removed from one of the app stores last year as it had stopped working, and the author was no longer maintaining it in favor of their standalone desktop apps. I preferred using ...
2
votes
0answers
162 views
Does an application linking to an unmodified LGPL-3 library need to be debugger-friendly?
I currently work on a proprietary, closed-source software suite, which is distributed to customers as part of a larger package (including various hardware and services).
The software suite uses LGPL-...
0
votes
3answers
58 views
Where is an Open Source repository required to be hosted?
Where is OS software required to be available at?
If I didn't want to use GitHub or Bitbucket, can I simply put it on my website? Where does the code have to reside in order to meet OS licensing?
...
4
votes
1answer
364 views
Bundling JetBrains OpenJDK in closed source software
I am developing a software that comes bundled with JDK. I am planning to use JetBrains OpenJDK for this purpose as it comes with swing support for HighDPI monitors.
JetBrains OpenJDK can be found in ...
-3
votes
1answer
52 views
Delay when downloading with SourceForge and many other sites
When I am downloading a file with SourceForge, and also from many other sites, I'm getting a count down and I am wondering what is the reason?
I'm not talking about storage sites like rapidgator, etc ...
3
votes
1answer
185 views
Is it possible to be open source but restrict distribution of compiled binaries?
I've started to consider how I want to license a project of mine, and I want people to be able to read, modify and distribute the source code. However, I also want to be able to monitise the project, ...
1
vote
1answer
228 views
Maven jar-with-dependencies - any violation of distribution license?
I have a Java application that uses some Apache common libraries (Apache 2.0 license).
I wanted to distribute it as a single fat jar (maven builds a single jar with dependencies packaged in a single ...
2
votes
1answer
41 views
Is sending requests to a server (which uses a model trained by GPL-licensed software) distribution according to the GPL?
I have a software in which I use Weka software to train a model (classifier) just once (without any modification) and save the model somewhere. Then, our customer gives a document to the program and ...
4
votes
2answers
458 views
Is it sufficient for using GPL-licensed code to add a note that the source can be requested via email?
My company is about to launch a commercial product, said product consists of an embedded Linux computer running custom software and talking to custom hardware.
My understanding is that the GPL ...
2
votes
0answers
55 views
MIDI in free software
Yesterday, I got a copyright question on my GitHub repo for my MIDI SDK. I want to know how free software projects handle such problems. In short:
Is it legal to list all constants except the General ...
5
votes
1answer
299 views
GPL and distribution
If I write some software which links against a GPL licensed component (i.e. my software is a derived work) and install (copy across a public network and deploy) that software onto a customer's (...
2
votes
1answer
73 views
Using MariaDB on server
MariaDB server is GPLv2.
I plan to use it on a server, unmodified, for let's say an online shop.
The users would have a GUI and through this GUI they would add products to a cart.
Would this be ...
7
votes
1answer
204 views
If a client sends me GPL'ed code, has it been distributed/conveyed to me?
A client has sent me GPL'ed code to work on for them.
This code has not been publicly released, so there is no way for me to obtain it -
other than directly from this client.
Is this considered ...
4
votes
2answers
78 views
Re-assigning copyright on GPL licensed software - does the assigner still have a copy?
I have built upon software that is released under GPLv2 (with the 'at your option, a later version' addition), and am now conveying that software to my client under GPLv3. Of course, I provide the ...
0
votes
1answer
2k views
can i use FFMPEG video recording in commercial use?
can I use FFmpeg.exe video recording feature for commercial use?
ffmpeg.exe
0
votes
1answer
147 views
Is it possible to distribute source of gpl3 Android app with email?
Is it ok if I put an email address in "About" of application, and every user who asks for the source code emails me and I send him/her by email?
It’s an Android application and I will distribute it ...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
Where are project man page contents maintained?
I've found errors in multiple sets of man pages for open source packages. I want to submit patches but I can't find the source for them, only the code.
Are they maintained with the project? Is this ...
11
votes
4answers
281 views
Threatening with non-renewal of contract when users distribute the GPLv2-licensed software
Scenario:
Bob develops patches for Linux. Because Linux is licensed under the GPLv2, these patches are also licensed under GPLv2.
Bob distributes these patches only to people who have a contract ...
5
votes
1answer
57 views
Does CC BY-ND 4.0 allow distribution of parts?
According to Can I leave out parts of a CC BY-ND licensed work when distributing it?, it’s not allowed to distribute only parts of a work licensed under CC BY-ND 3.0.
In CC BY-ND 4.0, it says under ...
1
vote
1answer
101 views
I have a CECILL and GPL software together with my closed-source software. Can I distribute them together?
1) My closed sourced software calls the GPL software on the command line like so: GPL.exe file. GPL produce output to stdout with the result. My closed source software reads the GPL output. Can I ...
5
votes
2answers
460 views
Is a Web application “released” in the sense of GPL?
In the sense of GPL, is a Web application running on a private server without exposing its code considered "released"? (or is the word "distributed"?)
Therefore, if a GPL component is used in a Web ...
9
votes
1answer
155 views
Is having a repository on GitHub considered distribution?
TL;DR
Is having a repository on GitHub considered distribution in the sense of a license?
Description
I have some repositories on GitHub. Now I modified a file for a project. The file was licensed ...
10
votes
1answer
2k views
Can I distribute unmodified GPLv2 binaries without the source code?
If I distribute someone else's unmodified GPLv2 software as a part of my product, what obligations do I have regarding source code distribution?
Do I have to host the source independently and ...
1
vote
1answer
475 views
How to publish my open source library to Maven?
I wrote a GNU-GPLv3 Java library.
I want to make it available to people who use a Maven build script (pom.xml)
How to do?
What are the pre-requisites?
19
votes
1answer
2k views
Are all docker images free (i.e. GPL)?
Looking at the GPLv2 FAQ. I'd like to incorporate GPL-covered software in my proprietary system. Can I do this?.
Since, any typical Linux distribution base image contains a variety of GPL-licensed ...
0
votes
0answers
18 views
Usage of the previous BSD in a commercial product? [duplicate]
If a company wants to use an application that is the BSD licence with this text below.
Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
modification, are permitted provided that the ...
4
votes
2answers
599 views
Distribute virtual machine image with gpl code
I have developed a C++ tool and I am the full copyright owner of the code. However the tool is dynamically linked to a gpl library. The whole source code of the tool is hosted on a virtual machine. In ...
4
votes
1answer
50 views
Can I shade ORMLite into my Jar via Maven and distribute that Jar?
I have a little question about ORMLite and its license.
I've found this document. Is this the true license of ORMLite?
If I understand it correctly, I just need to copy the license into my final jar,...
8
votes
2answers
278 views
Redistributing LGPL 2.1 code compiled by a proprietary compiler
Can I redistribute the binary form of someone's LGPL code compiled with a proprietary compiler which is not included in the operating system?
LGPL 2.1 says:
For an executable, the required form of ...
6
votes
1answer
123 views
Selling computers with GPL licensed applications pre-installed
I would sell somes computers, each computer:
Contains a MariaDB database (GPL v2).
Some web applications under apache/php (GPL v2 and/or GPL v3). These applications use MariaDB.
I can't find an ...
