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When is a GPL license incompatible with a module?
If license for a module Q has a requirement that’s incompatible with the GPL, but the requirement applies only when Q is distributed by itself, not when Q is included in a larger program, does that make the license GPL-compatible? Can I combine or link Q with a GPL-covered program?
What does GPL stand for in the GNU license?
“GPL” stands for “General Public License”. The most widespread such license is the GNU General Public License, or GNU GPL for short. This can be further shortened to “GPL”, when it is understood that the GNU GPL is the one intended.
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.
Can you sell a modified version of the GPL?
You are allowed to sell copies of the modified program commercially, but only under the terms of the GNU GPL. Thus, for instance, you must make the source code available to the users of the program as described in the GPL, and they must be allowed to redistribute and modify it as described in the GPL.
Can you make proprietary software under the GPL?
Using a certain GNU program under the GPL does not fit our project to make proprietary software. Will you make an exception for us? It would mean more users of that program. If a programming language interpreter is released under the GPL, does that mean programs written to be interpreted by it must be under GPL-compatible licenses?
Where can I find the current version of the GPL?
Check out some of our other licensing resources or contact the Compliance Lab at [email protected]. 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.
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.
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.
Can a GPL tool be made open source?
Unless someone in the comments disagrees, I’d like to point out that if you need to use a bit of GPL code at your devops / build layer, you can make that tool a separate application which CAN, potentially, be made open source w/o giving away the product your other-named tool builds. If you use GPL code at runtime, you gotta give out the source.
Where can I find the GNU GPL Version 2?
Check out some of our other licensing resources or contact the Compliance Lab at [email protected]. This page contains answers to commonly asked questions about the GNU General Public License (GPL), version 2.