What is meant by an LGPL software Licence?
The GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) is a free-software license published by the Free Software Foundation (FSF). For proprietary software, code under the LGPL is usually used in the form of a shared library, so that there is a clear separation between the proprietary and LGPL components.
What is LGPL vs GPL?
LGPL allows you to use and distribute the open source software with your application without releasing the source code for your application. GPL requires you to release the source code of your application if you choose to use and distribute the GPL licensed open source software with your application.
What’s the difference between the LGPL and the GPL?
Lesser General Public License is sometimes referred to as “Library GPL” or “GNU libraries,” and some associate it with the idea of engineering for libraries in shared resources. In some ways, LGPL is considered a “weaker” license than the general public license.
What does the word Lesser mean in the LGPL?
The word “Lesser” in the title shows that the LGPL does not guarantee the end user’s complete freedom in the use of software; it only guarantees the freedom of modification for components licensed under the LGPL, but not for any proprietary components.
How is the LGPL used in proprietary software?
For proprietary software, code under the LGPL is usually used in the form of a shared library, so that there is a clear separation between the proprietary and LGPL components. The LGPL is primarily used for software libraries, although it is also used by some stand-alone applications.
When was the LGPL changed to GNU Lesser Public License?
The LGPL was revised in minor ways in the 2.1 point release, published in 1999, when it was renamed the GNU Lesser General Public License to reflect the FSF’s position that not all libraries should use it.