If i want to use a public license, is it as easy as copying the license and putting it in my source code/making a new file, or is there something special i need to do to use it?
-1. <rant>This is the perfect example of why you should ask legal questions on a legal forum and programming questions on a programming forum. Why is it that programmers think that asking programmers for legal advice is a good idea? Do they also ask their lawyers for algorithm advice? And why is that programmers think that *giving* legal advice is a good idea?</rant> Now that I got that out of my system: *of course*, the OP *does not* need to comply with the license. He wrote the code. He is the copyright holder. He can do whatever the heck he wants with it.
Jörg W Mittag
2010-07-23 13:13:33
Some licenses do have requirements laid out for the content creator as well; some licenses are even copyrighted works, meaning that reproduction carries certain responsibilities. I think that the OP just wants to hear from people who have been in his shoes before.
jessecurry
2010-07-23 13:16:57
+4
A:
Here's a guide on how to use GNU licenses in your project. From the guide:
The process involves adding two elements to each source file of your program: a copyright notice (such as “Copyright 1999 Terry Jones”), and a statement of copying permission, saying that the program is distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License (or the Lesser GPL).
Other public licenses should be similar, but be sure to check the website of the license you're using for specifics.
Ben
2010-07-22 20:31:00
Why is it necessary to include copyright notice and a license reference in *each* source file? Why isn't it sufficient just to include LICENSE file with license and copyrights in the distribution/repository?
Roman Cheplyaka
2010-07-22 20:46:11
@Roman - I think the theory is that the license explains the terms, but the copyright notice and license reference actually bind the source docs to the license.
kekekela
2010-07-22 21:34:32