Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

"I feel that many people take it at face value and actually think that "the GPL forces to share modification", unconditionally."

If you use GNU licensed software, you are required to give out all of your changes to anyone that asks. In addition to this, anyone that requests the source can just as easily start sharing it and all of your modifications for free.

It sounds like you are getting annoyed because people aren't stating the obvious.




I'm not a fan of the GNU GPL for most cases, but your statement isn't quite correct. You are required to give out all of your changes to anyone to whom you distribute asks.

If I am a downstream ISV that has code under the GNU GPL because of upstream incorporation and sell my software to users, only those users I sell my software to may legitimately ask for a copy of the source. I cannot restrict them from giving it away or sharing it, but I don't have to honour all requests for the source and my modifications—just the ones from people I've distributed the software to.

Most businesses that use GNU GPLed software choose to either link to the upstream and host local patches, or host their custom distribution entirely, effectively giving the software away to everyone. They aren't required to do so by the terms of the license.


You just said that if you download a copy of Emacs, then make some modifications to it, then I can force you to surrender those modifications to me. That is wrong.

So, I am getting annoyed because you (and many others) don't understand the GPL. Go read it.

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html




Join us for AI Startup School this June 16-17 in San Francisco!

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: