Can I combine GPLv3 code with GPLv2 "or any later version"?

Question

I'm using a library licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), version 2.

I wish to release my own code (which uses the GPLv2 library) under GPLv3.

The library license contains the following paragraph:

This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

Notice the "or (at your option) any later version" part. Does this mean I can release GPLv3 code linked with this library, since GPLv3 is a later version of GPLv2?

Answer 1

Yes (note though - I am not a lawyer - and this is not legal advice).

Answer 2

For GPL-2 or later, you decide that you pick GPL-3 and horay you can link now =)

GPL 3 http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.txt GPL 2 http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.txt

GPL-3 see section 14, in GPL-2 section 9:

9, The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new versions of the General Public License from time to time. Such new versions will be similar in spirit to the present version, but may differ in detail to address new problems or concerns.

Each version is given a distinguishing version number. If the Program specifies a version number of this License which applies to it and "any later version", you have the option of following the terms and conditions either of that version or of any later version published by the Free Software Foundation. If the Program does not specify a version number of this License, you may choose any version ever published by the Free Software Foundation.

In GPL-3 slightly more changed text:

14, Revised Versions of this License.

The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new versions of the GNU General Public License from time to time. Such new versions will be similar in spirit to the present version, but may differ in detail to address new problems or concerns.

Each version is given a distinguishing version number. If the Program specifies that a certain numbered version of the GNU General Public License "or any later version" applies to it, you have the option of following the terms and conditions either of that numbered version or of any later version published by the Free Software Foundation. If the Program does not specify a version number of the GNU General Public License, you may choose any version ever published by the Free Software Foundation.

If the Program specifies that a proxy can decide which future versions of the GNU General Public License can be used, that proxy's public statement of acceptance of a version permanently authorizes you to choose that version for the Program.

Later license versions may give you additional or different permissions. However, no additional obligations are imposed on any author or copyright holder as a result of your choosing to follow a later version.