How does the GPL apply if you are using a tool released under the GPL rather than integrating GPL code?

Question

My favorite text editor is Notepad++, which is released under the GPL. On it's home page it explicitly states that...

Running in the MS Windows environment, its use is governed by GPL License.

I realize that when you build an application that uses GPL code, you must license your application under the GPL as well. But how does the GPL apply when you just want to use tools, but are not incorporating any code?

Does using Notepad++ to edit the code of a proprietary, closed-source application have any effect on how that application is licensed?

Answer 1

The authors misspoke; GPL does not impose any restrictions about using the software, only about distributing the software and its derivatives.

Answer 2

No more than using gcc to compile code put the GPL on the code.

GPL is not tranfsered to the closed-source application.

Answer 3

GPL only applies if you're distributing some component which is licensed. Using a GPL-licensed tool to build something else is completely fine.

In this particular case, using a GPL-licensed editor (like Notepad++ or emacs) puts no obligation on the product you're building with your code providing you don't distribute Notepad++ (or its libraries) with your product.

Answer 4

I don't think it matters. If it were, then anything compiled with gcc would have to be released as open source, and when I worked for the government last year, gcc was a popular C/C++ compiler and classified software isn't released under the GPL.

Answer 5

I believe the requester is over-interpreting the Notepad++ authors' statement. I believe they are non-native speakers.

In my interpretation, what they write is equivalent to "It runs in the MS Windows environment and its use is governed by GPL License." Nothing wrong with that.

Answer 6

Activities other than copying, distribution and modification are not covered by this License; they are outside its scope. The act of running the Program is not restricted, and the output from the Program is covered only if its contents constitute a work based on the Program (independent of having been made by running the Program). Whether that is true depends on what the Program does.