Questions tagged [license-compatibility]

License compatibility is the comparison of two or more licenses to determine if certain usages and actions can be made. Use this tag if the question would like to determine the compatibility of licenses, or their individual clauses.

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Can I use my own GPL'ed code in my closed source program?

Let's say that program A was made by me, with me being the sole copyright holder. If I license this program under the GPL-3.0, can I use that program in program B that is closed source?
sportzpikachu's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
176 views

How does monetization of opensource app works?

I have a couple of questions regarding making a PRO version of an app. If I want to make a PRO version with more features of my already existing open-sourced MIT licensed app, what changes should I ...
Sai Sandeep Vaddi's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
120 views

Does GPLv2 allow for prohibiting misrepresentation of the origin

I am a maintainer of dosbox-staging project, which is licensed using GPLv2+. I am considering bundling DOS/32A with my project (as it greatly helps with the emulation of old DOS software). DOS32/A is ...
Patryk Obara's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

Questions about MIT license for a Unity video game

I'm thinking of creating an open source Unity video game. I checked this page to have an overview of the MIT license. But there are still some things that are not very clear to me: If someone want to ...
Flpe's user avatar
  • 141
4 votes
1 answer
340 views

How to handle a project with both MIT and BSD-3 licence

I have forked an open source project after the original maintainer has not responded for almost a year. The original developer left things in a bit of a mess however, and while there is a LICENCE file ...
dr-spangle's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
663 views

Licensing software that uses a proprietary library under GPL-3.0 without linking exceptions: what are the implications?

NOTE: Changed the person in example from "I/me" to "PersonXYZ" Given, hypothetically: PersonXYZ wrote some software (will refer to as SoftwareXYZ) that uses a proprietary library (will refer to as ...
Iwan Aucamp's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
202 views

Using GLPv3 for open-source library modules that can be extended and linked by closed-source libraries and binaries

I'm developing a pretty big open-source project which will require multiple technology stacks. My hope is that this project will be primarily community-based, which means the community should be able ...
Belfer4's user avatar
  • 133
1 vote
0 answers
53 views

ZHST_IMS_Package license issue

The ZHST_IMS_Package 1.0.0 was installed through Application insights nugget packages. As part of black duck scan found this has issue with license and reported as "License Not Found". I found this ...
Rajesh's user avatar
  • 19
3 votes
2 answers
1k views

What permissions does LGPL-3.0 grant if the licensed work links against a proprietary library?

According to the FSF "The Lesser GPL permits use of the library in proprietary program". Is this permission granted in cases where an LGPL-3.0 licensed work links against a proprietary library? Both ...
Iwan Aucamp's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
164 views

Forking a project with conflicting licenses

I’m forced to work with software that has been given incompatible licenses by its authors. They have created an original API that they’ve licensed under the GNU GPL, but then they implement that API ...
justis's user avatar
  • 185
12 votes
1 answer
1k views

How can I properly fork a project that is dual-licensed AGPL/Commercial?

I'd like to use UniPDF, which is a Go project to handle PDF documents, in my project. UniPDF has a dual license: AGPL and commercial while my project is licensed under the GPLv3. I'd like to fork ...
jjjx's user avatar
  • 221
6 votes
1 answer
533 views

Using CC-BY-SA images in a CC-BY-NC-SA document

I am creating a presentation that includes some unmodified images licensed under either CC-BY, CC-BY-SA version 2.0, 3.0 or 4.0 (no CC-BY-SA 4.0) and some public domain images. They are all attributed....
P. Scwurf's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
165 views

What's the meaning of "porting" in SIL Open Font License v1.1?

It'stated in the license that: "Font Software" refers to the set of files released by the Copyright Holder(s) under this license and clearly marked as such. This may include source files, build ...
Ananda's user avatar
  • 41
3 votes
2 answers
89 views

Merging bug fixes from a project with a different license

Recently I discovered my project of mine (call it A), was cloned by another project (call it M) to create a port for a different platform. "A" was originally licensed as MIT, but has since been ...
Legume's user avatar
  • 31
6 votes
1 answer
434 views

Using public domain code within Apache-or-MIT licensed project

I'm interested in borrowing functions from a file in a project dual-licensed as MIT-or-UNLICENSE in my package that I intend to also be dual-licensed as Apache-or-MIT. Is this possible? How should I ...
Radish's user avatar
  • 423
5 votes
1 answer
436 views

Open-source license that should aware if I want monetize my project

I'm creating a website. Some of functionaly is using open-source libraries from npm, github, etc. I want to monetize my sites using ads, or even I want to create some sites template and sell to ...
Engkus Kusnadi's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
415 views

Distributing MIT application with GPLv3 plugin without releasing source for MIT application

We have a MIT licensed application which we sell packed under virtual appliance to our customers. the application has a marketplace where users can download and install additional plugins. We wish to ...
Shubham's user avatar
  • 23
2 votes
1 answer
602 views

Copyright of modifications and derivative works of Python License 2 licensed software

I am writing a Python package in which I plan to vendorize a modified copy of part of another package that was released under Python License 2 (it is not part of the PSL and not subject to any other ...
ipetrik's user avatar
  • 123
2 votes
1 answer
410 views

How can I use this GPLv2+ file in my MIT project?

I was having a programming problem and Google brought me to this blog, which refers to a GPLv2+ licensed file. However, I would like to keep my project MIT-licensed. What should I do? I'm considering ...
nalzok's user avatar
  • 145
0 votes
1 answer
2k views

Can I statically link Apache2/MIT/BSD licensed code into my GPLv3 licensed code?

Can I statically link Apache2/ISC/MIT/BSD licensed libraries to my project that is under GPL (v3 because I've learned that v2 isn't compatible with Apache2) and create an executable binary? ...
Trinopoty's user avatar
  • 111
0 votes
1 answer
116 views

AGPL project with AGPL documentation and templates with CC by-nc-sa 3.0

I am creating a project with an AGPLv3 license. In another repo I am creating the documentation associated to the previous project and the template (in LaTeX) used for the documents is licensed under ...
CarlosMJ's user avatar
25 votes
1 answer
27k views

Pros and Cons of using MPL-2.0 license?

I want to license my project (hosted on GitHub) under MPL-2.0, which looks like a reasonable choice. But since I'm not a lawyer, it's hard to estimate long-term benefits and consequences of this ...
Shersh's user avatar
  • 435
6 votes
2 answers
4k views

Clarification: Dual licensed under the MIT or GPL Version 2 licenses

I've been reading the differences between these two licenses for a few hours now and it is still quite not clear to me how this duality works. As far as I understood, the MIT license basically gives ...
GBeck's user avatar
  • 163
1 vote
1 answer
207 views

Conflicting Licenses: Can binary be released even though one library is missing?

I have developed a C++ project which is meant to be used as a plugin in a third party software. The project includes three libraries: A: The development kit of the third party software mentioned ...
Tobias's user avatar
  • 11
4 votes
2 answers
223 views

Is Open Public License suitable for libraries?

I would like to know if the Open Public License (OPL) allows library being bundled together or be a part of other code covered by other license (e.g. standard copyright - closed source code). I found ...
menfon's user avatar
  • 141
2 votes
1 answer
212 views

Distributing GPLv2 code and ENTIRELY SEPARATE closed-source software (no interaction between them)

Do I have to GPL all software in a .deb package just because it contains some GPL(v2 in this case) code, even if these things have nothing to do with each other except being distributed in the same ...
user3913963's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
139 views

Would a multi-license consisting of all possible non-exclusive licenses work?

Dual licensing is used to maximize compatibility. One requirement is that licenses must be non-exclusive, although they don't have to compatible and as licensee you are free to choose a subset of the ...
NoDataDumpNoContribution's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
318 views

Can I redistribute image containing GPLv2 and Apache2.0 software(packages) on Docker Hub?

I want to redistribute an image containing MySQL and Apache httpd. However, MySQL is GPL-2.0 licensed and Apache httpd is Apache-2.0 licensed. The two licenses are known to be incompatible. Do I have ...
Natto's user avatar
  • 53
1 vote
2 answers
146 views

AGPL v3.0 Modified Version Question

Here's a scenario. Let's say Person 1 makes a web app, distributes it under AGPL v3 and keeps the project updated on their GitHub. Person 2 says hey I want to modify your software and so Person 2 ...
Issuki's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes
1 answer
159 views

Add source file in Apache 2.0 licensed project

I want to add a source file (which is under GPL v2.0 (not in v2.0+)) in a project which is under Apache 2.0 license. As mentioned on GNU's website Please note that this license is not compatible ...
finn's user avatar
  • 123
3 votes
1 answer
389 views

Is it a good idea to read code in a no-licence repository?

Related to but distinct from What can I assume if a publicly published project has no license? Background: I'm working on piece of web-based software under the AGPL, which I may monetize in the ...
NiloCK's user avatar
  • 141
2 votes
1 answer
53 views

Code workflow is licensed Apache 2, but the data generated is BY-NC-SA. Can I recreate the data and commercialize it?

There is a website that offers both a codebase to process some arbitrary public data (as Apache 2.0), but licensed the output data of the workflow as BY-NC-SA 4.0 (at least the processed data on the ...
DrTchocky's user avatar
  • 121
2 votes
1 answer
369 views

What if I used a MIT-licensed library which has a GPL dependency?

As far as I know, GPL is infectious, so my application would become GPL once a single GPL-licensed file is included. However, MIT is compatible with GPL, and MIT isn't infectious, so my application ...
nalzok's user avatar
  • 145
5 votes
1 answer
512 views

GPL Application <-> LGPL Plugin <-> Properietary code

I would like to explicitly consider possibility of having either of Fig.1: (1-A) A GPL application with dlopen-based plugin system. (1-B) LGPL plugin for application (1-A), that is linked to (1-C) (...
Alexander Tumin's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
133 views

Wiktionary module code licensing

I'm currently in the process of porting some Lua code used in a Wiktionary module to JavaScript for an npm package. I can't find anything on whether Lua Modules on Wiktionary (or Wikipedia, which also ...
Constantin Groß's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
54 views

Distributing binaries under non-GPL license for GPL code?

Let's say there is an analytics suite Foobarize. Authors of it have it released under GPL to promote collaboration and research and advance mankind and all that good stuff. But they would also like ...
Layman's user avatar
  • 113
-1 votes
1 answer
192 views

GPL for CAD design using patented hardware

I would like to create a functional peice of mechanical hardware. To my knowledge, GPL-3.0 is compatible with non-software works. I would like to license the design of my under GPL-3.0. However, I ...
user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
987 views

Can I use a library that is dual licensed GPL + LGPL as if it was only LGPL?

PaGMO 2 includes both GPL and LGPL in their copyright notices: Copyright 2017-2018 PaGMO development team This file is part of the PaGMO library. The PaGMO library is free software; you can ...
e.tadeu's user avatar
  • 123
2 votes
0 answers
66 views

License Comptatibility with GSuite?

Are websites made with Google Sites compatible with GPL 3.0? A prospective user can create a web site with Google Sites using the web editor, but the HTML output, which may be interprited as the ...
user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
247 views

Open Data License - connect with GPL

I am planning to release a videogame with a map based on the real map of a city (or part thereof) based on the Open Street Map. It would also include Open Street Map in the game, almost certainly ...
Niteraleph's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
887 views

What is the purpose of dual licensed kernel modules?

filename: dc_sunxi.ko license: Dual MIT/GPL author: Imagination Technologies Ltd. <[email protected]> srcversion: 39B570CC4B56A8FFF5C64C3 depends: pvrsrvkm,...
Eloy's user avatar
  • 163
2 votes
0 answers
352 views

Linking to libtorch/CUDA from a GPL program

I have modified a GPLv3 program to link to libtorch (part of PyTorch). PyTorch is licensed under the BSD-3 clause license. I would like to convey my changes to the original GPLv3 program and the ...
Max Morehead's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
224 views

Open-source licensing while limiting competitive use

I am writing an R package for my employer which will be used as part of the backend of a proprietary web application. We intend to distribute this under some type of open source license. If we ...
jrdnmdhl's user avatar
  • 131
2 votes
1 answer
120 views

Can I license code that links to GPL code under a more permissive license?

I'm working on a project that I want to release under the MIT license. However, it includes a GPL'ed library. I understand this means I must release my work under GPL. Am I able to release the whole ...
chbaker0's user avatar
  • 123
3 votes
1 answer
189 views

Do Amazon AppStore terms allow for GPL software?

The terms for the Apple AppStore have been shown to conflict with the GNU GPL in such a way as to prevent GPL apps from being in the store — see this question. Are the Amazon AppStore (the standard ...
Tin Man's user avatar
  • 310
6 votes
1 answer
1k views

License obligations when creating a statically linked executable

I've recently completed my first "real" game and although it's not much I'd like other people to be able to play it without having to compile from source and satisfy dependencies on their own. I ...
some_guy632's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
105 views

How does GNU GPL work in a fullstack Android project?

What is the compatibility in terms of license with an API? For example: GPL license from the client side and PHP license from the server side, is it possible? Can the Android application contain ...
Braian Coronel's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Can i use MIT, ISC, Apache-2.0 in a project licensed as MIT or Apache 2.0?

I want to create a project in Angular licensed as MIT or Apache 2.0 and i need to include projects with different licences (MIT, ISC, Apache-2.0 and perhaps BSD-3). The project includes an area for ...
pipe's user avatar
  • 21
5 votes
1 answer
668 views

LGPL license in a concatenated JS file

I came across an old project in which there's a LGPL licensed JavaScript code was used. The code had the commented LGPL license information, but it was in a combined JS file (Not minified though) ...
noob's user avatar
  • 151
7 votes
2 answers
1k views

Why does the clause 3 of 4-clause BSD makes it incompatible with GPL?

As explained on the GNU GPL site, the 4-clause BSD is incompatible with GPL because of the clause 3 which states: All advertising materials mentioning features or use of this software must ...
Dmitry Grigoryev's user avatar

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