Questions tagged [gpl-2]
Questions about GNU General Public License Version 2.
230
questions
33
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5
answers
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Is illegally obtained GPLv2 software still subject to the terms and conditions of the GPL?
Let's say some company is developing a software component licensed under GPLv2. The company never intends to release the software to the public because they are only installing it on their internal ...
- 1,894
32
votes
1
answer
5k
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Why does GPLv2 include a mailing address (51 Franklin Street) in the license notice?
The last paragraph of the GPL v2 notice reads:
You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
Foundation, Inc., 51 ...
- 423
31
votes
4
answers
15k
views
Am I legally required to provide a (GPL licensed) source code even after a project is abandoned?
I plan to develop an application using an easy to use GPLv2 licensed libraries. Once my app is complete I plan to distribute it free and open source complying with GPLv2 copyleft requirements. The ...
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25
votes
1
answer
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What are the differences between GPL V2 and V3 licenses?
One of the most widely used and most popular free and open source software licences is the General Public License. I want to know in simple terms: what are the differences between GPL Version 2 and ...
- 2,062
24
votes
3
answers
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Can I link a Apache 2.0 library into software under GPLv2?
The Apache 2.0 License has a built-in linking exception:
For the purposes of this License, Derivative Works shall not include works that remain separable from, or merely link (or bind by name) to ...
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20
votes
3
answers
2k
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How do I upgrade from GPLv2 to GPLv3?
Consider I've written a program and released it under the GNU GPL version 2. Now I want to release it under the GNU GPL version 3. Let's call this "upgrading the license". Is this possible? How do I ...
user490
20
votes
4
answers
1k
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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 ...
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18
votes
3
answers
16k
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Is it allowed to dynamically link a GPL licensed library for commercial use?
I would like to use a dynamically linked library with GPL V2 license for adding remote support to my existing C++ application. I use the library without modifications of the library code.
Do I need ...
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16
votes
1
answer
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I was told by a vendor who licenses their paid software under GPL v2 that I cannot include the software inside my framework. How so?
They're a pretty decently sized company within the space and I assume they did their due diligence and so, I'm wondering if I misunderstood something. Are you not allowed to include paid software (A) ...
- 261
15
votes
5
answers
3k
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Am I allowed to convert some functions from a GPLv2 project and use it in a commercial project?
I have a very vague impression regarding the GPLv2 license that any project which borrows code from a GPL project needs to be open source too. Now I have a situation that I read part of a GPL project'...
- 261
15
votes
4
answers
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If you distribute GPL-code as non-GPL, can the receiver redistribute it as GPL?
Let's say I have written a proprietary program called MyProprietaryTool. The code has clear licenses on top of each file stating that it is proprietary code. (It's Python, so the code is what will be ...
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15
votes
4
answers
954
views
Can Apple require users to accept the Xcode/iOS license to use git?
After launching an upgrade of XCode on a MacOS Sierra, calling git in a
terminal suprisingly results in:
$ git
Agreeing to the Xcode/iOS license requires admin privileges,
please re-run as root via ...
- 253
14
votes
4
answers
11k
views
Is keeping the forking link on a true fork necessary? (Github/GPL)
This question is about a true fork (with new name, different features, different objectives and not targeting a pull request).
When I am developing a new application based on an other project I ...
- 325
13
votes
2
answers
4k
views
If my R package uses GPL packages, does mine automatically inherit GPL?
I've built an R package that uses a mix of libraries licensed under GPL-2 and GPL-3. From what I've read, because of this dependency, my package will also have to be GPL.
See here: https://www.gnu....
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12
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Can I get paid to make code that includes GPLv2 libraries?
I've been asked to make an application about astrology, and I would like to use this library https://github.com/astrolin/ephemeris/tree/develop/src/java/swisseph-2.01.00-01, however it is licensed ...
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12
votes
1
answer
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Quoting GPL licensed text in presentation slides
There is an open source project licensed under the GPL v2. It does also contain textual files (JSON configuration examples). I would like to put those texts on slides in a presentation of mine.
Does ...
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12
votes
2
answers
483
views
If I use artwork from a GPLv2 application, does my application have to be GPL as well?
Some time ago I started on a mobile version of a desktop game released under GPLv2. At first, the desktop version was just inspiration, but I've reached the point where I suck as an artist and would ...
- 221
11
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Does using a GPLv2 code generator force my project to be similarly licensed?
I use gSOAP to generate c++ code from wsdl in some project hosted on github and I am a little lost in the license compatibilities.
Shortly I prefer to share my work without any license constraint, ...
- 261
11
votes
1
answer
4k
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 ...
- 1,340
10
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Is it legal to Bundle OpenJDK + HotSpot with a closed source application?
As per my understanding, OpenJDK itself is licensed under GNU General Public License, version 2, with the Classpath Exception which should be no issue for bundling with closed source application. ...
- 203
9
votes
1
answer
1k
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Does reimplementing GPLv2 code in another language create a derivative work that also falls under the GPL?
I am now working with some ~2005 C CLI code, licensed as GPLv2-only. I hope to do the following things:
Port the code to a more recent environment (e.g. port to Ubuntu 22.04) (I only do this to try ...
- 101
9
votes
1
answer
493
views
Reusing test input files from GPLv2 project for automated testing
I am writing a filter -- an external program which takes input from the main executable, parses it, potentially modifies it, and outputs the modified data -- for the GPLv2-licensed Pandoc.
My filter ...
- 193
9
votes
1
answer
672
views
Is it legal to charge for distributing the source of a software which uses GPLv2 components?
A device I own uses BusyBox. BusyBox is licensed under GPLv2, hence, the software in my device must have a GPLv2 license.
Now, the company says they make the source code available, but for a charge, ...
- 193
9
votes
2
answers
578
views
Does GPLv2 prohibit torrenting Linux ISOs?
According to Richard Stallman:
Likewise, in 2006 we learned through the GPL version 3 commenting process that downloading binaries of GPL-covered programs with BitTorrent violated GPL version 2, ...
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8
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Why it is not possible to create a proprietary fork of GPL?-or-later software?
Let's assume there is a project under GPL2-or-later license. My understanding
is that anyone can take the project and make a fork with GPL2-only additions.
They could also take the project and make a ...
- 211
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Does modified server code, used in public website development, which is originally available under GPL2 have to be released to the public?
To be precise, I am referring to MySql source code which is available under GPL2. I want to make certain modifications in the code which is actually for some custom requirement.
The modified MySql ...
- 183
8
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Are pictures of GPL software GPL?
GPL must be applied on screenshots of GPL software or not. Can a screen recording of GPL software, such as Linux, be published?
8
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is it possible to migrate old GPL2 project to GPL3?
So I found an old project that is GPL2, not hosted on Github. I fixed bugs in it, and want to post on Github. Can I distribute it under GPL3? In other words, is GPL3 a GPL2 with additional ...
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8
votes
1
answer
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views
Incorporating GPL3 code into a GPL2 project
I have a GPL3-licensed program that supports a specific line of hardware. There is a GPL-2 program that supports a lot of hardware similar to the one I support. It was suggested to me that this other ...
- 183
8
votes
1
answer
538
views
Is an 'un-modifiable' linux a violation of GPLv2?
I have a D-Link DIR-816 router that runs a 'trimmed-down' version of BusyBox v1.12.1 running a linux kernel version 2.6.36 ([email protected]) (gcc version 3.4.2) #35 Wed Sep 23 17:23:58 CST ...
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7
votes
1
answer
1k
views
GPL-2 licensing and commercial software (what rights has the licensee)?
I wanna use a GPL-2 software library which is distributed in two flavors: GPL-2 and a proprietary license. The proprietary license is very expensive though.
Currently, there are no real commercial ...
7
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can I convert an Apache 2.0 project to GPLv2
I found a project on GitHub that I really liked, and have since forked and modified it. It's currently licensed under Apache 2.0. Can I release my modified project as a project with a new name under ...
- 205
7
votes
2
answers
519
views
Can I change the license of a GPL derived work to be more restrictive regarding version upgrades?
Specifically, the GPLv2. The creator of a work can allow people to upgrade to a higher GPL version:
(emphasis mine)
This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under
...
- 173
7
votes
2
answers
439
views
Can I make a derived work of a GPL project and a non GPL project for personal use?
In the GNU General Public License, version 2, some limits on how you can modify the Program are listed. Point 2.b states that (emphasis mine):
You must cause any work that you distribute or publish,...
- 2,110
7
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Using GPL licensed library over a service for non-GPL softwares
I want to use a GPL v2 licensed library(esper) for commercially distributed non-GPL softwares but I need to make sure non-GPL software not violate GPL license.
Can I use this library indirectly using ...
- 173
7
votes
2
answers
208
views
What is the status of in-app-purchasing code in a GPLv2 app? [generic app store]
I wish to develop a computer game and the engine I have chosen is ioquake3. This engine is licensed under GPLv2. Needless to say the game's source code will itself will, in turn, be licensed under ...
- 171
7
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Can I sell and distribute my software using OpenJDK without having to release my code?
We develop a software for commercial use and sell it to customers. The software is a web based software that requires Oracle JDK for running (JRE). We are considering moving to OpenJDK because our ...
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7
votes
1
answer
478
views
GPL v2 and proprietary extensions
I am trying to understand when do the GPLv2 spreads from a program to its extensions and vice versa.
Everything I've read seems to say that if you use a module (shared library or any other "tightly ...
- 73
6
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is database migration script covered by GPL?
I am using a product whose code is covered by GPL2. All fine except that when a major update is released, it relies on database changes which are effected by a script (sometimes hundreds of lines long)...
- 69
6
votes
4
answers
3k
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Could a license that allows later versions impose obligations or remove protections for licensors in the future?
If a project is licensed under GPL-2.0-or-later/MPL1.*, to what extent could the FSF/Mozilla releases a new version that imposes obligations or removes protections for licensors?
Some examples:
Could ...
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6
votes
1
answer
800
views
Can I modify a GPLv2 licensed kernel module without having the rest of my software GPLv2?
The company that I work for, develops a Linux-based in-house distro, which powers some hardware-based equipment. The project that I am working on, has some proprietary kernel modules, and proprietary ...
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6
votes
3
answers
1k
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Do I need to show branding for TinyMCE (self hosted, free usage license)?
I want to use TinyMCE rich text editor in one of our project.
We are using angular warpper of TinyMCE.
We will host the tinymce.min.js in our servers (not tinymce cloud). Exact steps mentioned at end ...
- 161
6
votes
1
answer
455
views
Effect of 'download separately' on GPL linking
Suppose I have Java jar-files which I provide to my customers under a commercial closed-source license. But my jar-files depend on a few jar-files released under the GPLv2 (without any special GNU ...
6
votes
1
answer
2k
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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 ...
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6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How can a GPLv2 dependency affect licensing of adjacent components that form an aggregate project?
I've read some of the GPL questions on here that seem relevant, but I haven't found an understandable answer for my particular case. I'll note them here for reference.
When does a dependency imply a ...
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6
votes
1
answer
383
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FFmpeg, libx265 and GPLv2/3 binary distribution
I have a question regarding FFmpeg binary distribution and libx265 and GPLv2/3
The FFmpeg documentation says that libx265 is GPLv2-or-later - https://www.ffmpeg.org/general.html#x265 - but the x265 ...
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6
votes
1
answer
147
views
Do the rights of the developer supersede the rights granted to the end user by the GPLv2 License?
I'm currently involved in a debate on GitHub surrounding a project that is 'GPLv2' licensed and has recently made a change to it's platform requiring new build scripts to be published in order to ...
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6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
CDDL1 and GPL2 + classpath exception incompatible with GPL3?
I am about to decide on the license I can attribute to my free-libre open source software (FLOSS). I have used the Stanford Core NLP released as GPL3+. I have also used the JAXB API which, although ...
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6
votes
1
answer
521
views
How should I mark a source file with GPLv2 as a derivative work?
I want to include a file with GPLv2 license in my project (which is also GPL, so there are no worries there). The file starts with a copyright line, and the license information.
I'll be making ...
- 163
6
votes
1
answer
305
views
Can I create a GPL licensed server and use it in a commercial product?
I have an commercial embedded device which uses linux as OS and I would like to add remote support to my commercial application on the device.
I would like to use a dynamically linked library with ...
- 341