Questions tagged [gpl]
The GNU's General Public License, a commonly-used free software license. The GPL has various versions, v1-v3, so use this tag only for questions talking about overarching issues of the licenses or shared characteristics. For example, for a question about a unique section on version 3, use the [gpl-3] tag.
27 questions from the last 365 days
8
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1
answer
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Sharing own software with a restricted group of persons
I am coding a new application. I would like to temporarily share it with a restricted group of persons to only have a feedback about some implemented features.
My application links against some qt (...
- 81
7
votes
1
answer
821
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Using MIT Python PyPI package with GPLv2-or-later Python package dependency in non-GPLv2-or-later-compliant project
I have a very specific question in this seemingly gray area.
There is a very popular MIT-licensed PyPI academic Python package
calfem-python.
There is another very very popular GPLv2-or-later-licensed ...
- 173
8
votes
1
answer
6k
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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
3
votes
2
answers
46
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Open JDK (Corretto) components license
Corretto is licensed under GPLv2 with CPE.
However some of its components are licensed under BSD, CDDL, CC0, GPL without CPE etc.
I am trying to understand how that works, does GPL overrides the other ...
- 31
17
votes
5
answers
3k
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Why would the GPL be "viral", while EUPL isn't, according to the EUPL authors?
So, according to the FSF, any work that links to a GPL licensed work is considered a derivative work, and thus also needs to be covered by the GPL.
The EUPL also demands derivative works to become ...
- 461
6
votes
1
answer
371
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Potential Syscall Note Loophole?
Linux has a syscall note which says
This exception is used together with one of the above SPDX-Licenses to mark user space API (uapi) header files so they can be included into non GPL compliant user ...
4
votes
3
answers
3k
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Am I allowed to link code licensed under GPL to proprietary libraries?
I believe it is fairly well understood that you cannot link proprietary code to code licensed under the GPL because you're creating a derivative work and have to license it all under the GPL. ...
- 345
5
votes
1
answer
396
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Utilising GPLv3 in a closed-source application via HTTP API
I have a question regarding integration of a GPLv3 software into a broader application stack and what I am legally obligated to do under the terms of the license. I browsed the existing threads on ...
- 153
4
votes
1
answer
178
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Distributing datasets partly built with GPLv3 library
We are planning to distribute some domain specific datasets which is the output of a complex ETL process. One of the steps of the process uses a GPLv3 library. Does this mean we have to open source ...
- 43
4
votes
1
answer
68
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Adding autoconverting clause to AGPL?
I was wondering if there is a straightforward way to have AGPL software autoconvert to a BSD-0 license after some arbitrary time (for example, two years), similar to how the BSL works.
I mostly want a ...
- 185
3
votes
2
answers
249
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Do I need to publish source code when building on Linux image?
I have an application that is built on a Linux image with some libraries that contain licenses like GPL-2.0, GPL-3.0, LGPL-2.1, and MPL-2.0 which I understand to be copyleft. I'm new to OSS licenses ...
- 133
5
votes
1
answer
959
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Best practices for relicensing what was once a derivative work
I forked a project which had the MIT license. I made substantial changes to it, rewriting it in a different language (from C++ to C) and now only a few small vestiges of the original are left in the ...
3
votes
1
answer
1k
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Understanding the commercial applications of AGPL3
I have a JavaScript library which I want to open source AND potentially make a business out of. I've seen lots of companies that provide open-source software use the AGPL3 license, but I have a few ...
- 133
2
votes
0
answers
49
views
How to give away source code for a plugin that integrates GPL with commercial product?
Say there is a commercial product that I have licensed, I have written my own plugin that integrates with a GPL licensed program. The program works fine and since it's personal use, I have not ...
- 267
4
votes
1
answer
414
views
Can the non-distributing end user of a software violate the MIT or GPL license?
Company A wants to buy software from company B for in-house use - that is, it will only be installed on machines of company A.
Said commercial software package contains code and utilities licensed ...
- 571
3
votes
1
answer
393
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"Sharing without ATTRIBUTION" when selling 3D printed objects (not the STL source files)
Several 3D models can be found on printables.com that are free for Commercial Use. Some examples are:
Printable Black Pearl published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Pot ...
- 151
9
votes
3
answers
2k
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Can somebody other than the copyright holder enforce the GPL "inherited" by a project? Do they have to?
Let's consider a project A, with authors and copyright holders A1, A2, A3 etc, licensed under GPL v2.
Project B builds on project A (let's say they just outright import the source code of A and link ...
- 193
5
votes
2
answers
990
views
Is the EUPL circumventable?
The EUPL in its §1 states that "to distribute" includes
making available, online or offline, copies of the Work or providing access to its essential functionalities at the disposal of any ...
- 153
3
votes
1
answer
284
views
When does (A)GPL license come into effect when loading a shared GPL-licensed library and how long does the effect last?
I've a very specific question.
I was reading: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#GPLPlugins
And wondered about the following.
My main program uses a permissive license that is compatible with ...
3
votes
0
answers
112
views
If I script a GPL software like GDB using its scripting API, should my scripts be distributed as GPL as well?
GDB is using GPL. I am writing scripts/python commands using its python scripting API and importing gdb: the module they expose for that goal.
Should my scripts be also distributed under GPL? Or can i ...
17
votes
2
answers
8k
views
Is it legal to distribute GPL software compiled with a nonfree compiler?
Suppose there is a GPL program.
Say I used a closed source "compiler" to build it.
In building so, I pulled in a proprietary library, but I considered it part of my compiler.
Because the ...
- 313
5
votes
1
answer
223
views
Can DCO be used in BSL?
A Developer Certificate of Origin is a well adopted contribution model in open source projects that protects both the contributors rights of their changes and the project. Could it also be used in ...
- 51
12
votes
1
answer
3k
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Risks of using code under a permissive license that could later convert to GPL due to licensor oversight
Consider the following hypothetical situtation.
The company C uses the library L under the MIT license to create a distributable binary under proprietary license
Later, the author of the library L ...
5
votes
2
answers
257
views
Different OSS license for LaTeX project source and code listings
I am currently writing a technical document with various code listings and diagrams.
I would like to release the actual text under the GNU-FDL license, while keeping the code listings under GNU-GPL V3....
3
votes
1
answer
76
views
Does Use of ptrace APIs Require GPL Distribution of Code
I want to use ptrace APIs in proprietary code. If I use them must I license my program as GPL? I could not find exact answer for this.
I searched for libraries and applications that use the ptrace ...
- 31
3
votes
0
answers
68
views
Removing GPL files from a dual-licensed project with LGPL
I'm using a GitHub project dual-licensed under GPL and LGPL (some files are GPL and some are LGPL). That's why it has two files with its license terms and conditions "COPYING" and "...
12
votes
3
answers
3k
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GPLv3 use in commercially sold embedded system
I have a question about GPLv3 usage in a commercially sold embedded system. The product sold uses a Raspberry Pi under the cover, and in the users manual provided it does mention the use of GPLv3 ...
- 123