Contents
Is it legal to sell software with a GPL license?
With that said, dear TechRepublic reader, the short answer to your first question is: yes, you can legally sell software with a GPL license version 2 or 3 for whatever price you want to charge.
Can a GPL library be distributed for commercial use?
You can distribute your application using a GPL library commercially, but you must also provide the source code. GPL v3 tries to close some loopholes in GPL v2.
Who is responsible for enforcing the GPL license?
Since the GPL is a copyright license, the copyright holders of the software are the ones who have the power to enforce the GPL. If you see a violation of the GPL, you should inform the developers of the GPL-covered software involved. They either are the copyright holders, or are connected with the copyright holders.
Do you have to make GPL source available?
(b) If you do distribute YOUR APPLICATION, and you used something GPL as part of your application (even if only linking at run-time to a library) – and even if you do not charge money – and even if you do not change that GPL s/w in any way – then you MUST make the source of YOUR APPLICATION available. Making source available does not mean download.
Can a GPL work be redistributed under fair use?
Because a GPL work is copyrighted, a licensee has no right to redistribute it, not even in modified form (barring fair use), except under the terms of the license. One is only required to adhere to the terms of the GPL if one wishes to exercise rights normally restricted by copyright law, such as redistribution.
When was the second version of the GPL released?
The second version of the license, version 2, was released in 1991. Over the following 15 years, members of the free software community became concerned over problems in the GPLv2 license that could let someone exploit GPL-licensed software in ways contrary to the license’s intent.
Can a drawing be licensed under the GPL?
Any material that can be copyrighted can be licensed under the GPL. GPLv3 can also be used to license materials covered by other copyright-like laws, such as semiconductor masks. So, as an example, you can release a drawing of a physical object or circuit under the GPL.
Can a license be changed under the GPL?
The only way that license is allowed to be changed is to a newer version of the GPL. Whoever received it as GPL will always be free to use it and redistribute it to others under the GPL. However, if you hold the copyright on the software, you can do whatever you want with it yourself.
Is it better to use the GNU GPL or the GPL?
Using the GNU GPL will require that all the released improved versions be free software. This means you can avoid the risk of having to compete with a proprietary modified version of your own work. However, in some special situations it can be better to use a more permissive license.