GPL Software

[Ravenfire]

Im a bit unsure on the legal side of this. If someone gives me a GPL software programme for free, or if I were to buy it from them is that allowed (the person other than the original maker I mean)

 

[Subbynet]

With GPL software you are free to run, modify, improve and redistribute.

You cannot charge or sell GPL software, but if the person trying to sell it is also the creator of the works and thus copyright owner, they can offer to sell the software under different terms from the GPL. But the GPL license will still remain to all existing distributed code.

 

[Ravenfire]

Right, so if my friend gives me the software I am free to use it? Sorry just want to clarify to make sure I have it right.

Thanks

 

[Subbynet]

Yep that's right, if it's released under the GPL license you can use it as you wish.

 

[Enigma121]

Yes, the GPL allows both of these activities to occur. You can get a copy for free or sell/buy a copy for any fee you want.

The issue is that for a GPL software license to apply there must be a route where you can obtain the GPL software for free if you want to.

You are also able to hand out as many copies of this for free if you like, regardless if you paid for your copy or not.

 

[Enigma121]

With GPL software you are free to run, modify, improve and redistribute.

You cannot charge or sell GPL software, but if the person trying to sell it is also the creator of the works and thus copyright owner, they can offer to sell the software under different terms from the GPL. But the GPL license will still remain to all existing distributed code.

Subbynet,

This isn't true. You can charge for software under the GPL, that's fine. As long as it's also made available for free.

Check out the following...

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#TOCDoesTheGPLAllowMoney

 

[Subbynet]

To be fair, your comment above is not quite correct ever.

You can charge for both the binary and source, but if you sell the binary then you must provide the source code, but you can charge anything you like. No one has to make it available for free, you just have to make it available.

I made my response to the thread made, and not a general view of the GPL license, and as said above, the question was if someone gave them a program what can you do with it.

The meat I was trying to get at is you cannot place extra restrictions on GPL'ed software. (Such as taking it for "sale" per-se)