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help me...GPL thingy...

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 3:18 am
by pleigh
im not really sure if this is the right forum but it would be great if you can share your thoughts...my question is general and not limited to PHP only...i just like to know if for example, i am using the netbeans for java to build my own software, for example, softwareA, am i subjuected to submit my source code(softwareA) when i distribute it for free?or is it legal for me to submit the application alone(without the source code)??

thanks in advance.. :D

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 6:29 am
by feyd
from what I remember, the source must be made available. It doesn't have to be with the binary/package explicitly, but it must be available in some form.

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 6:37 am
by pleigh
thanks feyd...but there are other software that are free for download and yet, the source is not available for download too...are they considered to be liable under the GPL?

Re: help me...GPL thingy...

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 6:55 am
by Roja
pleigh wrote:im not really sure if this is the right forum but it would be great if you can share your thoughts...my question is general and not limited to PHP only...i just like to know if for example, i am using the netbeans for java to build my own software, for example, softwareA, am i subjuected to submit my source code(softwareA) when i distribute it for free?
It depends on the license. Netbeans is not under the GPL.

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/j2sdk-1_ ... icense.txt

It has a *much* different set of requirements - including requiring you to accept certain legal positions and arguments. Read the license to determine what you need to do.. its an extensive list, and having someone else (that isn't a lawyer) interpret it for you is a bad idea (especially for the netbeans license).

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 7:13 am
by pleigh
thanks sure...thanks for the info...here's an example of a software under GPL(i think)...the sharpdevelop(to develop c# programs of course.. :D )...what really confuses me is the distribution of the code(mySoftware)..but as to its usage(mySoftware again)of course i distribute it for free... :wink:

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 7:32 am
by timvw
From what i've understand from GPL is that you don't have to make the source code public available. But as soon as you distribute it, you have also have to provide access to the sourcecode. And that you should mention it, so that your customers know their rights.

Meaby the preamble section of http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html explains it better.




Edit:
You are free to do whatever you want with what you made with a GPL'd software. So if you write a program (not using GPL libraries) and compile it.. You are not required to distribute it as GPL. This question is somewhere in the GPL FAQ.

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 7:35 am
by feyd
I'm moving this thread to The Enterprise, as it has the most to do with just that I feel.

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 7:38 am
by timvw

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 7:56 am
by pleigh
thanks...for example i make the "hello world" in c#, then compiled it with sharp develop...even that small program is subject for source distribution??

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:03 am
by Roja
pleigh wrote:thanks...for example i make the "hello world" in c#, then compiled it with sharp develop...even that small program is subject for source distribution??
To be specific, we are now discussing (in general) the GPL, which ISNT what netbeans is licensed under. I just want to be crystal clear that this is a general discussion about a license, NOT about a specific scenario using a specific piece of software.

Think of it as breaking the seal.

You can do *anything* with gpl code. You can abuse it, rewrite it, molest it, whatever - as long as you dont break the seal.

As soon as you break the seal, you have to follow the rules, which means (among other things) providing your sourcecode on request.

Breaking the seal = Distributing your app. Distribution means giving it to anyone else. Any other legal entity at all.

Fairly simple.