How are GPL libraries used in software development?

How are GPL libraries used in software development?

Internally, our software will be using some GPL libraries to generate its output. However, the software itself will not be distributed. Users will either receive a virtual machine with the pipeline set up which they can run locally, or submit their input data to us and access their results from a web interface.

Can a GPL program run on anyone else’s computer?

That code runs on your computer, nobody else’s. Since the GPL code doesn’t execute on anyone else’s machine, they cannot demand to see the source for the running program, even if it was modified.

Can a virtual machine be distributed to the public?

However, the software itself will not be distributed. Users will either receive a virtual machine with the pipeline set up which they can run locally, or submit their input data to us and access their results from a web interface.

Can a company make a modified version of the GPL?

(#UnreleasedMods) The GPL permits anyone to make a modified version and use it without ever distributing it to others. What this company is doing is a special case of that. Therefore, the company does not have to release the modified sources.

Is it legal to distribute software under GPL?

In this case the enterprise software was used by some large companies who essentially took the code, changed the name, removed the GPL notices and used the result. The point was – if the company did this and only used the software internally then there isn’t any distribution and that’s perfectly legal under GPL.

How to fulfil your obligations under the GPL?

That is one of the three ways to fulfil your obligations under the GPL. Tell the employees that they are not allowed to hand the software to anyone else, and that they are definitely not allowed to hand the source code to anyone. If they do, then they are in trouble with their employer.

When does a GPL modification become a distribution?

The point was – if the company did this and only used the software internally then there isn’t any distribution and that’s perfectly legal under GPL. Modifications by their own employees for internal use would also be allowed. So At what point does it become a distribution?

Do you have to release your source code to the public?

Here’s a common misconception: the GPL emphatically does not say “anyone who modifies the source code must release their modifications for free to the public.” In fact until very recently with the advent of GitHub, publishing software publicly was a really difficult task.

Is the publishing burden offset if you are already transmitting something?

Notice that if you are already transmitting something to someone, then the publishing burden is offset: you only have to also offer to transmit the source code alongside whatever you’re originally transmitting.

Can a closed source application be open source?

If I create a closed source application which uses some GPL licensed libraries but don’t actually distribute the software, only its output, can I keep the software closed sourced? Specifically, I am talking about a biological data analysis pipeline. Internally, our software will be using some GPL libraries to generate its output.

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.

Which is the current version of the GPL?

This page contains answers to commonly asked questions about the GNU General Public License (GPL), version 2. The FAQ for the current version of the GPL is here. To learn more about the Free Software Foundation’s other licenses, please see our licenses page.

Is the GPL included in the MIT License?

Inside of this file there are the exact contents of an external library, licensed under GPL. There is also other code (by me), licensed under the MIT license. The section of this file that contains the library is left intact and the library is not altered.