Questions tagged [gpl]
Gnu General Public License
72
questions
1
vote
1answer
79 views
Stolen code in a GPL repo
Quite an odd thing has happened. A software author as released a repo under GPL 3.0 license
But inside that repo is code that the author doesn't own in any way and has no license. Now when people fork ...
1
vote
1answer
31 views
Ownership of sites and smart contracts
If I am an owner of a site, I can place restrictions on its usage even if the site software is licensed under an open source license such as GPL or AGPL, right? Which law allows me to place such ...
0
votes
2answers
84 views
I believe [program] violates GPL, do I need to sue the author before using its source code?
Let's say there's a program ("ABC") which is licensed under GPL. There's a similar program ("CAD") on the market, which I believe is a modified ABC. It is therefore in violation of ...
1
vote
2answers
71 views
Do I have to adhere to my own software licences for them to remain enforceable?
I have written a software application and an accompanying software library. When users use this application, they will write code externally to it which also makes use of the software library. The ...
2
votes
1answer
65 views
Does the acceptance of a software licence constitute a contract? Can such a contract be closed without using said software?
This question revolves around the (unresolved) question in the open source community, whether "dynamic linking" against a GPL-licensed library requires your software to be GPL-licensed, as well. I ...
7
votes
2answers
3k views
Copyright in copyleft licence?
Is the copyright mentioned in GPL v3 used just for the sake of defining the word? (It's not copyrighted, but the word encompasses the same actions that would violate the copyright if it was ...
-1
votes
1answer
26 views
Can I get benefits of others' contributions to my GPL licensed software to use these contributions in my proprietary software?
I have my own code of a software, purely coded by me. I am intending to open source it, GPLv3 or Apache 2.0. Then I will add them to Github to let others get benefits of source code and contribute ...
0
votes
2answers
49 views
Can a company modify and use the source code of a GPLed library without selling it or releasing the modification?
I have a specific case here for which I could not find a clear answer here or on other pages. I am working for a company that is interested in using an open source code licensed under GPL v2.1. The ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
“GPL version N or later”-licensed code and publishing an EULA as GPL v4
Oftentimes source code is licensed as "GPL version N or later". But what stops some company from taking their EULA, publishing it as GPL version 4 and happily using whatever code they want to use in a ...
0
votes
0answers
19 views
MIT/BSD plugin type software and GPL contamination / un-contamination?
Assuming a software Foobar that is GPL3, and assume a exterior plugin that is licensed MIT (or BSD).
My understanding is that when a user, Joe, uses Foobar and the plugin, the plugin itself is ...
-1
votes
1answer
46 views
Selling second hand and copyright
If I sell a bit of GPL'ed software I am required to provide source code, or an offer of same. This is based on the "distribution" clause of the GPL. According to this question, if I sell GPL'ed ...
2
votes
1answer
78 views
GPL and private sale
If a company sells a device containing GPL licensed code they need to provide the source code when asked.
Does this apply to private sales, e.g. if I sell an used device that I bought on ebay, would ...
1
vote
1answer
31 views
Implications of changing terms of a free license (LGPL, Apache, MIT, Eclipse, etc) after I started using software on old terms
While creating my software (as a developer / startup owner) I rely on the fact that I can use some (software) library for free. I also rely on the fact that I can use it for commercial purpose and ...
1
vote
0answers
63 views
Asking for the unencrypted version of a file in an open-source project?
Let's say that an open-source project, such as a GNU GPL one, uses git-crypt and has added private, encrypted files, such as ssh private keys to the committed git repository.
Wouldn't John Doe be in ...
3
votes
1answer
53 views
GPL: Does changing makefiles and configurations considered as “modifications”?
I know that editing GPL source code is considered as a "modification", which means all the copyleft rules apply.
However, most software includes configuration files and makefiles which you can tweak ...
1
vote
3answers
83 views
GPL-3.0's “Open-Sourceness”, Images and Image Formats
I took an SVG image from a set which is distributed under GPL-3.0 and used it as (a large) part of an icon I made to a software of mine, which is also distributed under GPL-3.0. So far, everything is ...
1
vote
2answers
31 views
Copyright holder and license of the output files produced by a libre software
Consider for example the libre software LAMMPS, which uses GNU General Public License. The user writes an input file. Then the software performs some calculations based on the instructions in the ...
0
votes
1answer
64 views
Enforce GPL v3.0 with software modules
I develop a software that consists of a core application and several optional modules. I would like to license the core and all modules that were developed by me under the GPL v3.0. In addition to ...
2
votes
2answers
70 views
Does utilizing “copyleft” programs like git and gcc imply that the output has to be under the same license?
GPL v2.0 states the following as git's license:
b) You must cause any work that you distribute or publish, that in whole or in part contains or is derived from the Program or any part thereof, to ...
2
votes
2answers
133 views
GPL Licensed code as separate process
We are going to use a GPL licensed application as separate process inside a docker. So here's how it works:
Main app ships to client, it doesn't have any GPL code. Does have lots of things and ...
0
votes
1answer
85 views
Are there any AGPL-style licences that require source code modifications to be public?
So my understanding of the AGPL, is that it requires modifications to be distributed to the users of the network service, but I'm looking for a licence that would require any modifications (non-...
4
votes
1answer
101 views
How to enforce GPL if the copyright holder doesn't have access to the source code of violating software?
I'd like to publish a C library project that I have written on GitHub and license it under GPL, so I am doing some research on open source licenses and some confusion comes to mind.
Let's say Evil ...
2
votes
1answer
119 views
Can I use my own Open Source code in commercial software I'm writing?
If I release some code that I wrote myself with an Open Source license (a WordPress plugin with the GPL2 license, https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html), can I then use my own code in commercial ...
2
votes
1answer
60 views
Websites using GPL-licensed libraries
If a customer of yours pays you to develop a website (not to buy it, so he doesn't receive a copy of the software), the website uses GPL libraries or frameworks, and the site is installed in a server ...
3
votes
2answers
239 views
Is it legal for manufacturers to lock bootloaders on Android phones?
Some backgroud :
A bootloader is a very low level piece of software that runs first and loads an operating system of some other tool. On a lot of new Android devices the bootloader is "locked", that ...
3
votes
2answers
92 views
Can I use GPLv3 license in my project even if I am below 18 years old
My question is can I license my Game project with GPLv3 and have my name right of the copyright notice even if I am below 18?
0
votes
1answer
67 views
Code compatible with a GPL licensed program published under a different license (GNU gettext)
Context:
The Python standard library already contains a gettext module roughly compatible with the original GNU gettext library. Simply this module does not use the hash tables present in mo files to ...
1
vote
0answers
36 views
GNU application in work other than software
As we know, GPL is intended especially for software products, but it may be used for any work if the creator thinks it is OK.
If the original work and a modified work are both software, I see no ...
0
votes
1answer
63 views
What happens if open hardware infringes existing patent?
For example, maker community builds a machine implying/related to technologies/concepts under patent, and licenses these under GPL.
What are the consequences?
Example: electronic beam welding patent ...
0
votes
1answer
99 views
Developing software under GPLv3 and selling the source code
I am a software freelancer (basically, I own a software company which is just myself), so legally, I'm the bearer of responsibility.
Recently, I have been asked to develop a piece of software. ...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
Using Qt with LPGL license for a revenue generating, non-distributed private project
I am planning on porting my Python based TradingBot to C++ due to Python's GIL limitation. I have looked up a few c++ libraries like boost and Qt. I'm more inclined to use Qt because of its excellent ...
2
votes
3answers
285 views
Is there a loophole in the GPL allowing binary-only distribution?
I asked this question a long time ago here, which was the wrong place, and got a bunch of conflicting answers from a bunch of non-lawyers.
I'm hoping for a more definitive answer here, ideally from ...
1
vote
1answer
78 views
Is the output of a generator tool copyrighted? [GPL3 and CC BY-SA 3.0]
I am developing a game right now and wanted to use character sprites created by a generator under a GPL and CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
In my understanding the GPL license does not cover the output of the ...
3
votes
1answer
60 views
What are the potential legal consequences for a company that has GPL violations?
In the news recently was that the smartphone company Xiaomi has not released the kernel source code for its Android phone that has been on the market for over 3 months. Since Android is based on the ...
0
votes
2answers
52 views
Can the GPL be applied to non-software projects?
I have an idea that I would like to distribute, but I do not want any legal restrictions (as in patents) to be applied to my idea. The idea is not all software (it is a smartphone design), so would it ...
2
votes
2answers
152 views
Is it a GPLv3 violation for a project to charge a fee for downloading binaries?
Is it a GPLv3 violation for a project to charge a fee for downloading binaries?
Concretely I am wondering about this case: http://moodeaudio.org/
The project is clearly licenced under GPLv3 as stated ...
1
vote
0answers
81 views
Does the GNU Affero GPL help to protect against closed source if the application is run on a remote server?
Edit
The point is that my application does not involve network interaction and so won't do any modifications to it. Instead it provides an interface for receiving local input (e.g. a file) and ...
1
vote
0answers
71 views
Can I modify a program under GPL to use an incompatible library and publish the source?
The GPL disallows linking to a GPL-incompatible library. However, reading the GPL it seems to me this only applies to distribution of binaries.
So, is it allowed to
modify a program under the GPL to ...
4
votes
1answer
198 views
Enforcing GPL without copyright
From what I understand the GPL license can only be enforced by the copyright holder.
Therefore, given a scenario like this:
A developer finds an abandoned software project licensed under GPL.
S/he ...
2
votes
2answers
110 views
Can I use a GPL in a closed-source program by having a very large download file and a very small download speed?
Let's say I manage to expand (opposite of compress in this context) the source code of a GPL-derivative I made to an unusually large amount that is nearly impossible to download (let's say a ...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
Using R packages for commercial use
I have produced a couple of wordclouds and charts using packages in R. Is it ok to use Wordcloud and ggplot2 packages (they are licenced under GPL and LGPL) commercially for producing documents and ...
0
votes
1answer
127 views
Stolen GPL program (a hypothetical case)
I learned that there is no requirement to distribute the source for an non-distributed (that is used only inside the company) GPL licensed software.
But what if a hacker steals it and puts online?
...
3
votes
2answers
192 views
Does Github's License Grant clause in the ToS make one legally liable?
The popular Git Repository hosting service used by many open-source projects Github recently adopted a new Terms of Service.
I am puzzled by the implications of the License Grant Section. Which is ...
1
vote
1answer
212 views
Can I distribute the vtd-xml Java JAR (uses a GPLv2 license) with my commercial product and keep my product closed-source?
Can I distribute vtd-xml with my commercial product without having to share my source code?
I came across this article and now I'm really confused: https://opensource.com/law/14/7/lawsuit-threatens-...
2
votes
1answer
180 views
CopyFree, LGPL & GPL: is Closed Source Possible?
I am working on building an app for desktop deployment. I am using an open-source platform that, for the purposes of this question, can be considered to use a CopyFree license. That platform itself ...
1
vote
1answer
172 views
Are user-space programs designed for modified Linux kernels considered derived works under GPLv2?
The Linux kernel is distributed under the GPLv2 and it seems generally accepted that "user-space programs that use the standard
system call interfaces aren't considered derived works" as stated by ...
1
vote
1answer
104 views
Would an automatic download for LGPL libraries be permittable under LGPLv3?
Disclaimer: I am not a native English speaker NOR am I versed in the law beyond the basics you learn in highschool-/uni-courses.
I am writing a software which uses LGPL licensed libraries. From ...
6
votes
1answer
779 views
Can I bundle Apache 2.0 licensed components in a GPL 3 licensed project?
I am creating a project that I would like to open source and license under the GPL 3 License. The project will come with a bundled version of an open source component which is licensed under the ...
2
votes
1answer
111 views
Problem About GPL Licence And WordPress Products
I copied following answer from this question.
Since WordPress is GPL code, all code publicly distributed must also
be licensed either as GPL, or GPL compatible.
The GPL states you cannot ...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
Is it legal to quote extracts from the GNU GPLv3 license on the Stack Exchange network?
The GNU GPLv3 License is auto-licensed.
Content posted to the Stack Exchange network is licensed by CC BY-SA 3.0.
GNU is viral copyleft and cannot be re-licensed to CC, and also requires that ...
