Questions about the implementation of software licenses on software, including questions about open-source licenses.
4
votes
1answer
179 views
Could Apple and Microsoft allow the GPLv3 on their locked-down devices?
It seems that both Apple and Microsoft prohibit GPLv3-licensed software in the app stores for their locked-down devices (i.e. iOS, Windows Phone and the Metro part of Windows). I have heard various ...
5
votes
3answers
773 views
How does the GPL static vs. dynamic linking rule apply to interpreted languages?
In my understanding, the GPL prohibits static linking from non-GPL code to GPL code, but permits dynamic linking from non-GPL code to GPL code. So which is it when the code in question is not linked ...
5
votes
5answers
247 views
Downgrading from GPL v3 to GPL v2
I have this issue with licensing.
I downloaded a third-party class from GitHub and it's under the GPL v3 license. However, I used this class on another open-source project which is under the GPL v2 ...
5
votes
2answers
121 views
Is the creator of a piece of software bound by the license he gives it?
For example, if a person creates an application that they open-source under a license that says you can use this code but you cannot sell it, has that person just bound himself to not selling it now ...
6
votes
2answers
191 views
Licensing code under GPL: are revisions prior to adding GPL license still GPLed?
Suppose I have an already existing codebase which does not have any license headers in any of the source files, nor does it have COPYING file.
So when I add all the neccessary GPL "cruft" to, say, ...
1
vote
1answer
83 views
Does it ever make sense to license source code as a learning resource under GPL?
I recently came across a series of articles walking through how to make a scheme interpreter. I was browsing through the code when I realized that it was AGPL.
For the most part, the code itself is ...
32
votes
2answers
791 views
Unicode license
The Unicode Terms of use state that any software that uses their data files (or a modification of it) should carry the Unicode license references.
It seems to me that most Unicode libraries have ...
6
votes
3answers
305 views
is Java free for mobile development? [duplicate]
Q1. I would like to know if it's free for a developer (I mean, if I have to pay no royalties to Sun/Oracle) to develop (Android) mobile apps in Java?
After reading this snippet about use of Java ...
2
votes
4answers
286 views
GPL licensed software installed on commercial hardware
Do vendors need to provide sources, at the customer's request, for GPL licensed software installed on the hardware they sell?
For example, a vendor sells an IPTV box and pre-installs some proprietary ...
0
votes
2answers
117 views
Switching licenses, or cross licensing existing GNU GPL v3 software
I'm in the process of making a fork of GNU coreutils with a range of modifications. I'd like to release the result as an open-source project, but I'm not so much of a fan of GNU GPL as a license.
Is ...
2
votes
1answer
193 views
How to copyright and license individual code files
I have a habit of writing small, reusable components in my spare time. I reuse these components with my clients' code bases. It occurs to me there's a potential issue that using identical code for ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Can I use new BSD licensed library/code in commercial closed source project?
I've found freetype-gl library I want to use. It has new BSD license and I'd like to use it in my closed source commercial project.
Can I do it?
1
vote
4answers
612 views
Legally, can I re reuse code for different customers? [closed]
The company I work for develops custom factory automation applications for multiple customers. Even though each application is custom, they contain common code which is re-used across projects.
One ...
0
votes
4answers
213 views
Dilemma for growing a project: Open source volunteer developers VS closed source paid / revshare developers? [closed]
I am trying to grow my project, and I am vaccillating between some examples.
Some options seem to be:
1. open sourcing the project to draw volunteer developers.
Pros
This would mean anyone can ...
1
vote
1answer
139 views
What are some general guidelines for setting up an iOS project I will want to personally publish but sell in the future?
I have an idea for a personal iOS project that I would like to write and release to the iOS store. I'm the type of developer who enjoys developing and publishing. I want to write quality software ...
4
votes
3answers
182 views
How to efficiently protect part of an application with a license
I am working on an application that has many functional parts.
When a customer buys the application, he buys the standard functionality, but he can also buy some additional elements of the ...
2
votes
2answers
186 views
Have you used a Framework/Lib whose LGPL License? if yes, what are the impressions of your customers? [closed]
I am trying to make my first app for sale, I would like to ask some questions for those who have already sold their software:
Have you used a Framework/Lib whose LGPL License?
if yes, what are the ...
0
votes
2answers
281 views
LGPL License in commercial application
I have searched around but I don't seem to be able to get a clear answer on my questions that I understand.
I want to use the Xuggler library in my application, which is licensed either GPL or LGPL ...
0
votes
1answer
106 views
licensing a ' Sharepoint bug-Fix' to reserve it [closed]
My friend recently finished his personal work on a project that fixes a known bug in sharepoint 2010. The guy spent significant time\effort to reach this point
He consulted me on how to license this ...
3
votes
3answers
109 views
Most appropriate OSS license for infrastructure code
I'm looking into potentially releasing some infrastructure code (related to automated builds and deployments) as OSS and I'm curious about how the various OSS licenses effect it.
Specifically, LGPL ...
0
votes
1answer
88 views
Which license can I use for my open source AWS project [closed]
I'm creating a project on codeplex that uses Amazon Web Services and the AWS SDK for .NET
Which licenses can I use? The SDK is released under Apache 2.0 license, so I assume my project can or should ...
16
votes
2answers
489 views
Is there a precedent for the license on a compiler restricting the kind of development you can use it for?
It was recently let slip that the new EULA for Delphi XE3 will prohibit Client Server development with the Professional edition without the additional purchase of a Client Server license pack. This is ...
2
votes
2answers
269 views
microsoft .Net license
Am about to start coding using microsoft .Net technologies, am just worried about the license, so if I compile my code using the .Net compiler "not visual studio" can I distribute, sell or use my ...
3
votes
4answers
260 views
How can I ensure a portion of my project's code remains in all derivative works?
I had an idea for a website. After much coding and thinking out the idea, I've got it to a decent stage.
If I were someone else, potentially a more commercially-minded person, I might want to sell ...
3
votes
2answers
680 views
Running software as a service using unmodified GPL(v2+) program as a core dependency: must the SaaS source code be released?
I'm designing a software as a service project which will only be accessed online. I may have a hard dependency on an executable which is covered by GNU GPL (v2 or later).
I understand that my code, ...
10
votes
4answers
485 views
How does the GPL work in regards to languages like Dart which compile to other languages?
Google's Dart language is not supported by any Web Browsers other than a special build of Chromium known as Dartium. To use Dart for production code you need to run it through a Dart->JavaScript ...
3
votes
1answer
112 views
What's more restrictive, the RPL or the AGPL?
What's the difference between the RPL licence and the AGPL licence?
Which one is more restrictive?
3
votes
3answers
177 views
Confused on selling GPL. How is it consistent with this section?
(Written against GPLv2.)
It is always said that GPL does not prohibit selling the software, as long as its source code is provided under the same license (GPL). Now, I do not understand how it is ...
8
votes
1answer
344 views
What are the licensing requirements for shipping Java along with application
We have an application in Java. Now we want to export this application to clients (free of charge). Can we ship JRE7 along the application (precaution as client might not have Java installed). Is it ...
0
votes
1answer
92 views
Openfire licensing with custom code
I am thinking of integrating the openfire chat server with my custom website. Openfire server and the smack client library is licensed under Apache License, Version 2.0.
If I decide to use openfire, ...
5
votes
2answers
344 views
How much should a floating license cost?
Floating licensing is a software licensing approach in which a limited number of licenses for a software application are shared among a larger number of users over time. Nice for the corporates to ...
2
votes
2answers
106 views
Choosing the right license for a testing framework
I've finished a first working, releasable version of a testing framework. Prior to release, I want to apply a proper license to it. Normally I'd choose something like GPLv3 but here I am pretty ...
1
vote
1answer
125 views
Sencha Ext JS run time license
Do you need to buy a run time license from Sencha if your application code written is developed in Ext JS and deployed on a web server?
http://www.sencha.com
19
votes
7answers
1k views
Can I legally and ethically take an open-source project with community contributions to closed-source?
Let's say I start and develop some project under open-source license, and accept some community contributions. How shaky is the ground I stand on if I decide to take the project commercial and ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
Can I distribute software that's using Microsoft's Visual Basic 2010 Express Edition?
Am I within my rights to write and distribute software in compiled and source form using, in part, Microsoft's Visual Basic 2010 Express Edition? I have only the free, express version.
If it has ...
1
vote
1answer
151 views
Site for uploading open source project
I have some simple and useful projects. I want to upload it as an open source project. What are the most popular sites for uploading these projects?
Following are the requirements
The site is ...
2
votes
2answers
201 views
MIT License Question (download somebody else's code and throw it on github)
Sometimes I use plugins and 3rd party libraries, and one thing that drives me crazy is when these libraries are not versioned. So, if I download it, make some mods to it, I am the only person in the ...
0
votes
1answer
96 views
Licensing for hosted open source and 3rd party libraries
Context:
We have an ASP.NET MVC3 codebase, hosted on CodePlex, currently in the "setup period". This codebase uses several NuGet packages (without changes or additions to the source, just "using" the ...
0
votes
1answer
67 views
Redistributing BSD-licensed software?
Is it acceptable to distribute unmodified BSD-licensed software (pyglet) with GPL-licensed software I created? The BSD allows for sale of modified software, I know, but does it allow re-licensing of ...
1
vote
1answer
129 views
Can someone help me understand this GPL license
I can't understand the last line of this GPL license.
Copyright (C) 2011 Some Name
This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
it under the terms of the GNU General ...
0
votes
4answers
156 views
can gpl code contain more restrictively licensed code? (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)
There is a wordpress theme I am modifying to create my own derived work. This original wordpress theme has the GPLv2 licence in it's root directory, so I assume that the entire theme is GPL code.
...
0
votes
2answers
188 views
Can CC0 code use a GPL library?
Suppose my code uses (simply links to) a library licensed under the GPL. Can I release my code under CC0 (public domain dedication)? Is my code affected by the copyleft nature of the GPL?
1
vote
1answer
149 views
Software Licensing Particulars
I have spent a lot of time examining the various (major) software licenses and ultimately have decided upon using the MIT Licenses for my open source projects, and the Microsoft Reference License ...
3
votes
5answers
412 views
Developing an iOS app for a single device - licensing issue
I'm developing an iOS app for a museum as a freelancer. It's a very simple video player, to be installed on a single iPad that will be part of a permanent exhibition, basically acting as a kiosk. It ...
2
votes
3answers
226 views
Open Source Project: Company to register copyright
I'm releasing an open source project. I want to make it as inclusive as possible for any community that might embrace it. Specifically, I don't want the code copyrighted in my name when an entire ...
2
votes
3answers
228 views
How to manage, in practice, licence files when combining GPL and BSD licensed code?
I am writing code that uses one library with GPL (not LGPL) license, and one with the 3-clause BSD license. Since I link to GPL-licensed library, my code will need to be GPL as well. How should I, in ...
9
votes
5answers
823 views
How to manage a copyright notice in an open source project?
I'm working on, and adding to, a GitHub-hosted project that includes this LICENCE.md (apparently the MIT licence verbatim):
Copyright (c) 2012 [Acme Corp]
Permission is hereby granted, free of ...
2
votes
2answers
117 views
What is the significance of each paragraph of the GPL “copying permission statement”?
Part of the FSF's instructions for placing a program under the GPL is including the following "copying permission statement" at the top of your file, under the copyright notice:
This program is free ...
3
votes
3answers
195 views
Give open-source developers a free license for my commercial software?
I am creating a software package that will be useful to programmers, engineers and scientists. List price will be in the region of $1,000 -- way beyond the budget of most open-source developers, ...
2
votes
1answer
299 views
ISC license advice [closed]
What is your opinion on the ISC license?
Do you think it is suitable as MIT or Simplified BSD license replacement?
What are the pros and cons of ISC compared to MIT or BSD?
