Of course, with no firm policy in place, there might be other nonfree software included that we missed. Im looking for a linux package manager for personal project. Interpreting, enforcing and changing the gnu gpl, as applied. Call gpl software from nongpl software software engineering. The gpl faq implies my plugin should be licensed under gpl, but unless the plugin linkage mechanism required me to compile or distribute some gpld files, i cant see how. A practical guide to gpl compliance software freedom law.
Software packaged for debian is normally classified into one of four categories. Linux kernel licensing rules the linux kernel documentation. A copy of that license is included in this document on page x. The way to think of this is to combine both of the programs and ask whether that combination meets all of the requirements of gpl 2. The reason most authors release a library or other software under the gpl is because they want others who benefit from the use of their code to release their code in the same fashion.
Debian policy section 2 explains exactly how the dfsg are applied to the archive. The answer to both questions is the gpl, or gnu general public license, the software license that governs the linux kernel and other opensource software. Matt asay, in a paper about the gpl and linux wrote this reading of the gpl that it is ok to have nongpl loadable modules has become so prevalent in the past year that stallmans opinion on the matter is largely irrelevant. My employer is making an exercise machine that displays data on the exercise either as a graph, or a 3d car race simulation built in unity 3d. However, items in this article have one of the following conditions. Im a big supporter of the gpl, and i understand the arguments against attaching non commercial clauses to otherwise free software. The linux kernel is licensed under the gnu general public license, version 2. Almost everything including non gnu environments relies upon glibc, even if not gcc specifically. Are nongpl loadable linux drivers really u not u a. The main criterium is non gpl and its variants license. Almost everything including nongnu environments relies upon glibc, even if not gcc specifically. As far as i can tell, linus nongpl module exception has mainly been communicated by other means than the linux he has, for example, repeatedly stated his allowance of proprietary i.
Also note that the gpl below is ed by the free software foundation, but the instance of code that it refers to the linux kernel is ed by me and others who actually wrote it. Aug 26, 2008 it is not the intent of the gpl to require you to distribute thirdparty software tools to your customer provided the tools themselves are not based on the gpld software shipped, but we do believe it requires that you give the user all the essential nonproprietary facts that you had at your disposal to build the software. The fsf urges the holders of linux to move it to gpl version 3, for this and other reasons. Categories of free and nonfree software gnu project free. Where in the constitution is it written that tax money should be used to give profit to corporations. So, while you can write a program which links to both gpled and nongplcompatible licenses, you cannot then distribute that program to third parties, as it would run gpled and nongplcompatible code in the same process.
So, while you can write a program which links to both gpled and non gpl compatible licenses, you cannot then distribute that program to third parties, as it would run gpled and non gpl compatible code in the same process. I would like to link a gpl application to this library, and want to know if the linking would cause the library to be gpl. Stallman devised an alternative to the commercial software license and called it the gpl, or gnu public license. The software that is developed under open platform is distributed under the term entitled gpl. The following is a list of video editing software the criterion for inclusion in this list is the ability to perform non linear video editing. Contrary to what some of the kernel developer say, it is not illegal to combine proprietary software with gpled softwareit may be illegal to redistribute the combination, but as others have specified, the gpl allows you to use the software as you see fit and that includes modifying it, including by linking nonfree modules. Understanding the license that governs linux novell. If the code is loosely connected to gpl code or incorporates. Nongpl linux kernel modules banned starting january 2008.
However, the linux holders grant you to link your lgpl module with any proprietary code. Does all gnu software use the gnu gpl as its license. The free software foundation plays no part in the development of linux. The linux kernel, cddl and related issues software freedom. Permissive licenses provide the software asis, with no warranties. Put another way, i expect users to respect the license of the software i write, so i should, in turn, respect the license of software that others write.
There can thus not be a linux distribution that does not include gpl software and allows commercial use. The linux kernel, cddl and related issues software. However, whats exactly the difference between a multi core, 1 ghz, 1gb ram, full mmu, embedded system and a desktop. The gpl faq implies my plugin should be licensed under gpl, but unless the plugin linkage mechanism required me to compile or distribute some gpl d files, i cant see how. Sofern ein fur linux geschriebenes anwendungsprogramm nur uber normale. Whether you work in consumer electronics, drones, iot, or automotive devices based on generic linux or android codebases, this guide is for you. Jan 27, 2011 gnu general public license, or commonly called gpl, is a type of license thats been used by a lot of free software like linux. Ob gemeinsam mit gplsoftware vertriebener code insebsondere. Difference between gpl and lgpl compare the difference. Look at perl, kde, and the current version of netscape not mozilla for. Why you should use a bsd style license for your open. Gpl 3 draft released the free software foundation released the first public draft of gpl 3 earlier in january.
If the code is tightly bound to significant amounts of gpl code, the code must be gpl. This is explained in subsections 6a and 6b of the gpl. Most modern transcoding software supports transcoding a portion of a video clip, which would count as cropping and trimming. If i port my program to gnulinux, does that mean i have to release it as free. Jun 15, 2012 relationships between the gpl licences and other software are carefully explained in the gpl faq. So, while you can write a program which links to both gpled and non gplcompatible licenses, you cannot then distribute that program to third parties, as it would run gpled and non gplcompatible code in the same process. Linking gpl apps to nongpl libraries the library is subject to law, and i cant disclose the source. The gpl provides certain rights to anyone receiving a license to software governed by the gpl. How can gpl terms apply to distribution of a proprietary. Only monitor size comes to my mind and consequently application design comes to my mind. At the same time, it imposes very few obligations except on those who wish to redistribute the software. It is deployed on a wide variety of computing systems, from personal computers, mobile devices, mainframes, and supercomputer to embedded devices, such as routers, wireless access points, private branch exchanges, settop boxes, fta receivers, smart tvs, personal video recorders.
Can i release a nonfree program thats designed to load a gplcovered plugin. Richard stallman is a primary proponent of the gpl. No most every large corporation uses gpl code all the time. The kernel community has taken measures in many cases to encourage, assist, or require of parties making nongpld modules that they comply with the kernels license terms. Have you ever used gpl library for writing nongpl software. Linux the kernel in the gnu linux operating system is distributed under gnu gpl version. Now, there is no clause in the linux license which says that all linux software must be gpl d.
You may obtain the complete corresponding source code from us for a period of three years after our last shipment of this product, which will be no earlier than 20110801, by sending a money order or. The gpl was created by richard stallman in order to protect gnu software from being made proprietary. The gnu general public license, often shortened to gnu gpl or simply gpl, lists terms and conditions for copying, modifying and distributing free software. However, given the hurd kernels status as not yet productionready, non. This can be further shortened to gpl, when it is understood that the gnu gpl is the one intended. Open source software the term open source software is used by some people to mean more or less the same category as free software. Mar 05, 2001 as far as i can tell, linus non gpl module exception has mainly been communicated by other means than the linux he has, for example, repeatedly stated his allowance of proprietary i. The licenses were originally written by richard stallman, former head of the free software foundation fsf, for the gnu project, and grant the recipients of a. The software included in this product contains ed software that is licensed under the gpl. As with the userspace of non containerized linux distributions, these base layers invariably contain many gpl licensed packages both gplv2 and gplv3, as well as packages under licenses considered gpl incompatible, and commonly function as a runtime for proprietary as well as open source applications. The linux kernel is a free and opensource, monolithic, unixlike operating system kernel. Cddl is a free software license, originally written and used by sun microsystems to release various programs ed by sun. They used to use a ton of gpl software but hated to have to comply to the licenses so they have gone out of their way to reduce their dependency on gpl code. It is always distributed under the terms of the gnu gpl, and every copy is free software.
The gpl aims to protect open source software by making sure closed source software doesnt abuse its open nature. Most popular open source nonlinux based operating systems. The gnu general public license gpl is a pervasive free and open source software license. Some of the mostinstalled open source software is gpllicensed, such as linux, wordpress, and wikipedias underlying software, mediawiki. Such is its popularity that even people not familiar with open source software have still heard of this mystical, geeky software called linux. There is free software main, non free software non free, free software which depends on some non free software contrib and software which cannot be redistributed not included. The intricacies of using the gpl license have been hashed out repeatedly in many other forums. Most popular open source nonlinux based operating systems list whenever you mention the phrase open source, most people think of linux. Also note that the only valid version of the gpl as far as the kernel is concerned is this particular version of the license ie v2, not v2. What other non gpl linux package management systems are there.
In the technological field, gpl means general public licence. Usually, free software is meant to emphasize a freedom in the rights of endusers, but can sometimes be confused as meaning free of cost. The most widespread such license is the gnu general public license, or gnu gpl for short. Releasing software without the gpl will let anyone convert, with minor modifications, a software from public domain to proprietary.
Despite the critical role the gpl plays in the advance of linux, not many people understand its terms. By joining our community you will have the ability. General this forum is for nontechnical general discussion which can include both linux and nonlinux topics. However, i can also think of legitimate use cases for wanting a more permissive license. Here are some highlights of a few specific issues that come up occasionaly. Aug 12, 2015 generally, this shouldnt be a problem. Linux remains under gpl version 2, so the stricter termination of gpl version 2 still applies to linux. Nov 19, 20 this is explained in subsections 6a and 6b of the gpl. Use without redistribution is seen by many as a loophole in the gpl, since it means.
Of course, your situation seems to be the opposite of what the gpl is designed to deal with. What is gnu general public license gnu gpl or simply gpl. There is free software main, nonfree software nonfree, free software which depends on some nonfree software contrib and software which cannot be redistributed not included. I have licensed every piece of software i have ever written under the gpl, i have been an active financial supporter of the free software foundation and software freedom conservancy and the work they do, and i advocate for the usage of the gpl. Android is a nongnu linux system, but on embedded systems. You can support our efforts by making a donation to the fsf. If an operating system uses a gpl linux kernel, must the. This page is maintained by the free software foundations licensing and compliance lab. Most commercial software is proprietary, but there is commercial free software, and there is noncommercial nonfree software.
In fact, i would also bet that major core functionality also relies on the gnu userland without bash or a variety of other tools, e. For example, using nongplcompatible software to optimize any gcc intermediate representations would not qualify as an eligible compilation process. The only situation in which a program or library must become gpl is when gpl source code is used in it. Application x is licensed under gpl, so an enduser of x who installs the plugin creates a combined work which cant be redistributed as it includes my nonfree plugin. Practical gpl compliance is a guide for startups, small businesses, and engineers tasked with shipping products that contain gnu general public license version 2 gplv2 code. Relationships between the gpl licences and other software are carefully explained in the gpl faq. Application x is licensed under gpl, so an enduser of x who installs the plugin creates a combined work which cant be redistributed as it includes my non free plugin. To avoid inadvertently infecting your proprietary software with the viral effect of the gpl license, your product should dynamically link to the open source components when it is running so that your proprietary code and the open source code are not considered as a single work subject to the gpl license, which would be the. My comments here are not about the validity or the great value of the gplit is an unquestionably. The biggest single concern shared by software developers new to linux is that because linux is subject to the gpl, any software written or compiled under linux is also subject to the gpl. The following is a list of video editing software the criterion for inclusion in this list is the ability to perform nonlinear video editing. However, software running as an application program under a gpllicensed operating system such as linux is not required to be licensed under gpl or to be. Wikipedias content is mostly under the creative commons bysa license, which has similar sharealike features to the gpl. Plenty of commercial software is available for linux, and it does not violate the gpl in any way.
Use without redistribution is seen by many as a loophole in the gpl, since it means web services and the. If the code incorporates significant amounts of gpl code, the code must be gpl. The main criterium is nongpl and its variants license. The choice of licence comes down to personal preference, and both approaches can have good or bad. A practical guide to gpl compliance software freedom law center. Android is a non gnu linux system, but on embedded systems. Gnu project free software foundation gnu operating system. Look at perl, kde, and the current version of netscape not mozilla for examples of non gpl linux software. Now, there is no clause in the linux license which says that all linux software must be gpld. I dont want to completely prevent people from selling something based on my code and adhere to a gpllike license i want people to be able to either. Using a certain gnu program under the gpl does not fit our project to make.
Gnu general public license, or commonly called gpl, is a type of license thats been used by a lot of free software like linux. Categories of free and nonfree software gnu project. Frequently asked questions about the gnu licenses gnu. As with the userspace of noncontainerized linux distributions, these base layers invariably contain many gpllicensed packages both gplv2 and gplv3, as well as packages under licenses considered gplincompatible, and commonly function as a runtime for proprietary as well as open source applications. He also started a nonprofit foundation, the free software foundation fsf, which intended to develop an entire operating system, including all associated software, that would not be subject to proprietary licensing. Under this license, it makes sure that the software is open to all users, making them free to amend, edit, or modify open source software, obtain source code and redistribute them. The gnu general public license gnu gpl or gpl is a series of widely used free software licenses that guarantee end users the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software. The free software movement grew out of the hacker culture of the 1970s and was formally founded by richard stallman as part of the gnu project and the nonprofit free software foundation. So far ive managed to find that only slackwares pkgtools meet this rule, but there surely must be others.
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