Can you use GPL code on a commercial website? Do you have to supply a link to the source code for that software? Does it violate the GPL license if you use non-GPL open source software with the GPL software?
Cheers.
A:
GPL "poison" (requirement to make derived work GPL or similar licensed) only kicks in if you redistruibute the derived work. Otherwise you're free to use the GPL-licensed work however you like - make any in-house (not for distribution) works doesn't require licensing your work.
sharptooth
2010-08-24 14:14:00
I'm guessing making the website publicly available doesn't classify as redistribution ?
marchaos
2010-08-24 14:15:21
A:
The GPL is mostly a redistribution license, and allowing others to run code on your system doesn't constitute redistribution. Don't worry about GPLed software server-side; if you push any processing to the client, of course, the GPL is in full force.
There is a variation of GPLv3, the Affero GPL, which puts GPL-style restrictions on software others run, and is designed to apply to server-side processing. This is not approved of by all people who like the GPL (example: me), and I don't know that it sees much use.
If you're putting GPLed server-side code in, check for "Affero" in the license name.
Not all licenses defined as Open Source by the OSI or Free Software by the FSF are compatible with any version of the GPL, and so technically you aren't allowed to link them, but I doubt anybody cares if you don't redistribute.
David Thornley
2010-08-24 14:22:37
The actual code is javascript (client side). It will probably be minified as well. Would I have to redistribute the unminified version in that case?
marchaos
2010-08-24 14:39:43
(Warning, I'm not a lawyer) In this case you must distribute the software to the client, so you must deliver the full sources of the javascript code. Maybe you can split the GPL js library and your code, but any coupling between your code and the GPL code is problematic (I know that you need to distribute compiled programs under GPL if it links to a GPL library, but I don't know where the border is in js since there is no such link step).
Rudi
2010-08-24 15:05:02
Client-side code does count as being redistributed, and you need to supply the source code. The source code is defined as the preferred form for making changes, so a minified version would not satisfy the license. You would need to offer the standard version, together with the license. Exactly what constitutes as "derived work" for programs delivered in something like source form is something I don't know, and I don't remember reading it in the FSF's FAQ. You could write to the FSF or consult a lawyer. You might want the lawyer in any case; this is getting tricky.
David Thornley
2010-08-24 17:30:47