What does GPLv2 mean?
General Public License Version 2.0
Among today’s more popular OSS licenses is the GNU (of the GNU Project) General Public License Version 2.0, commonly referred to as simply GPL v2. Initially released in 1991, the GPL 2 is a copyleft license, meaning users must abide by some strict rules and requirements.
What is the difference between GPLv2 and GPL v3?
The GPLV2 is the predecessor of the GPLV3 which makes the GPLV3 the newest version. The GPLV2 was introduced in 1991 while the GPLV3 was launched in 2007. Since the GPLV2 is an older version of the GPLV3, there are differences between the licenses. The GPLV2 has a library exclusion that the GPLV3 doesn’t have.
What is GPLv2 compliance?
The purpose of the General Public License version 2 is to allow third-party developers to be able to reproduce the software from source code. To that end, when you distribute binary software licensed under GPLv2, the license obliges you to reveal what source code was used to produce that binary.
Is GPLv2 for commercial use?
There is no field of use restriction in the GPLv2 – users are free to use if however they like, including for commercial purposes.
Is GPLv2 viral?
It’s also called a viral license, because if you modify and/or share the software, it shall stay licensed the same way, also because if it’s used within a larger software, that whole software shall provide the same freedoms.
Can I sell software that uses GPL?
4. Can you sell GPL software/code? Yes, the GPL license allows users to sell the original as well as the modified software. It may be confusing, but free software is referred to as free in terms of freedom and not in terms of price.
Can I use LGPL library in commercial software?
You can use and distribute LGPL libraries on your website and use them in combination with commercial code. The only big restriction is that you must keep the library open source, including any modifications you make to it, and allow your users to obtain the source, licence and copyright information for the library.
Can you use GPL in closed source?
@eMAD parts of it can, yes. For example if it has GPLed JavaScript, then the source code for that must be available.
What is an example of a GPLv2 loophole?
Well, it’s the ‘Cake as a Service’ example. The limitation of GPLv2, is that it states that whoever has one freedom — like the ability to run the code, they’ll have all four freedoms. But when it comes to SaaS, the loophole is that users of a SaaS don’t run the code.
Can I use (L) GPL libraries in a closed source SaaS project?
As far as the regular GPL and LGPL are concerned, providing access to use your software over a network (like in SaaS) is not considered distribution. This means that there is no problem with using (L)GPL libraries in a closed-source SaaS project. What you have to watch out for are libraries that have an AGPL (Affero GPL) licence.
What are the limitations of the GPLv2?
The limitation of GPLv2, is that it states that whoever has one freedom — like the ability to run the code, they’ll have all four freedoms. But when it comes to SaaS, the loophole is that users of a SaaS don’t run the code.
What is SaaS under AGPL?
In the AGPL license, SaaS is considered distribution and requires you to provide your users access to your source code. Thanks for contributing an answer to Software Engineering Stack Exchange! Please be sure to answer the question.