Why you shouldnt use the lesser gpl for your next library. Sflc continues to conduct gpl enforcement and compliance efforts for many of its clients who release their software under the gpl, the gnu lesser public license lgpl and other copyleft licenses. The differences between the gpl, lgpl and the bsd fosswire. The lgpl license allows an application that references the binaries to remain closedsource. I have researched on the web and given a lot of thought on how to license the software. Originally known as the gnu library general public license, it was drafted by the free software foundation fsf to provide a weaker or lesser form of copyleft for use in certain specific circumstances. This is a solution that satisfies those who wish to produce gpl ed software using wxwidgets, and also those producing proprietary software. This license was formerly called the library gpl, but we changed the name, because the old name encouraged people to use this license more often than it really ought to be used. In 1991, the gnu lesser general public license lgpl, then known as the library general public license, was written for the gnu c library to allow it to be linked with proprietary software. Gpl lgpl gpl gpl, lgpl both are created by the gnu project the gpl and lgpl prohibit covered software and all derivative work from having its source code hidden from the public assumption. Gpl, also known as copyleft, grants permission to reuse or modify the source code to make derivative works, but if you distribute your program to others, it requires you to license your derivative work under the gpl too. Proprietary software sormec marine and offshore cranes.
In doing so, we have found that most violations stem from a few common mistakes that can be, for the most part, easily avoided. Gnu lesser general public license version 3 open source. See the gnu lesser general public license for more details. A lesser general public license is used to license free software so that it can be.
Software licensed with any gnu license can be used and modified everywhere, without any restrictions in private and even in corporate environments. Gnu gpl, lgpl, apache licence types and differences. If you modify the software, you still have to give back the source code, but. The gnu lesser general public license gnu lgpl was designed as a solution for such situations. A lesser general public license is used to license free software so that it can be incorporated into both free software and proprietary software, and is often referred to as the weaker sibling of gpl. How do you talk to them about using open source software, particularly as part of some product that you.
It is important to understand the difference between the lgpl and the gnu general public license gpl. The lesser general public license is sometimes described as a weak copyleft license, because code licensed under lgpls terms can be combined with code under nonfree licenses, and is sometimes used in that fashion. Also add information on how to contact you by electronic and paper mail. Gpl and lgpl refer to their latest versions the latest version of the lgpl. You can find the legal text for the gpl here, but heres a quick summary of what it means. What is the difference between gpl, agpl and lgpl licenses. Gnu lesser general public license wikipedia, a enciclopedia. There is also a gnu free documentation license, which was originally intended for use with documentation for gnu software, but has also been adopted for other uses, such as the wikipedia project. Lgpl is also called gnu libraries and formally called the library gpl.
The license allows developers and companies to use and integrate a software component released under the lgpl into their own even proprietary software without being required by the terms of a strong copyleft license to release the source code of their own. Fluendo includes ffmpeg libraries licensed under lgpl. See how to choose a license for your own work for general recommendations about choosing a license for your work the gnu project has two principal licenses to use for libraries. The gnu general public licence, or gpl as its often called, is the most popular free software licence and its used by many different projects, including the linux kernel, the gnu tools and literally hundreds of others. A practical guide to gpl compliance software freedom law. Gnu lesser general public license drive gnu library general public license nebo lgpl je licence svobodneho softwaru, publikovana free software foundation. The gnu lesser general public license lgpl is a modified, more permissive, version of the gpl, originally intended for some software libraries. Such new versions will be similar in spirit to the present version, but may differ in detail to address new problems or concerns. The lgpl is similar to the gpl, but is more designed for software libraries where you want to allow nongpl applications to link to your library and utilise it.
Differences between gpl and lgpl when using licensed software. You should have received a copy of the gnu lesser general public license along with this library. I believe youve stated the differences between the mozilla public license and the gnu lesser general public license accurately. The most important difference being that programs licensed under the gnu lesser general public license can be accessed or used by any program, including ed proprietary programs. Aug 31, 2018 differences between gpl and lgpl when using licensed software.
Licenses gnu gpl, gnu lgpl, gnu fdl, general public. If the jar file is distributed under the lgpl you should be ok. The license allows developers and companies to use and integrate a software component released under the lgpl into their own even proprietary software without being required by the terms of a strong copyleft license to release the source code of their own components. The cpl has some terms that resemble those of the gnu general public license gpl, but some key differences exist. We use only licenses that are compatible with the gnu gpl for gnu software. Tldrlegal software licenses explained in plain english.
The gnu lesser general public license was originally named the library general public license. As used herein, this license refers to version 3 of the gnu lesser general public license, and the gnu gpl refers to version 3 of the gnu general public license. The free software foundation may publish revised andor new versions. Revised versions of the gnu lesser general public license. My software, teem, is released under the gnu lesser general public license lgpl, for a variety of reasons. Gnu lesser gpl and apache software licenses denver business. Products designed by smartrg may contain certain software code that is developed by third parties, including software code subject to the gnu general public license gpl or gnu lesser general public license lgpl. A practical guide to gpl compliance software freedom law center. When distributing derived works, the source code of the work must be made available under the same license. The gnu gpl is the most widely used free software license and has a strong copyleft requirement. Also, theres nothing preventing you from selling an open source. The emacs general public license, a february 1988 version, a direct predecessor of the gnu gpl.
The license allows developers and companies to use and integrate a software component released under the lgpl into their own even proprietary software without being required by. That is why there is the lgpl or lesser gnu public license. Its generally appropriate for libraries and projects that want to allow linking from non gpl. Can i use an lgpllicenced library in my commercial app. As a special exception to the gnu lesser general public license version 3, you may convey to a third party an executable. Gnu general public license wikipedia, a enciclopedia livre. To make it free software, you need to release it under a free software license. The library refers to a covered work governed by this license, other than an application or a combined work as defined below. Byla navrzena jako kompromis mezi silne copyleftovou licenci gnu general public license gpl a permisivnimi licencemi, jako jsou bsd licence nebo mit licence. Some people dismiss all gnu licenses as viral, which is both unfortunate and false. This license allows you to use gpl ed code in a library setting without requiring your application to be gpl ed. As used herein, this license refers to version 3 of the gnu lesser general public license, and the gnu gpl. Most gnu software, including some libraries, is covered by the ordinary gnu general public license. Gnu general public license unofficial ubuntu wiki fandom.
A similarity relates to distribution of a modified computer program. The gnu lesser general public license lgpl is a freesoftware license published by the free software foundation fsf. The gnu lesser general public license lgpl the lgpl is essentially the same as the gpl and it will keep the lgpl licensed software free, but there is one critical distinction. Gnu lgpl information this library is free software. The gnu free documentation license fdl, for documentation, followed in 2000. Aug 15, 2015 gnu lesser general public license lgpl the gnu lesser general public license was originally named the library general public license. It allows users of the lgpl software to combine it with other software, whether it is free or proprietary. Is there a modified lgpl license that allows static linking. This license, the gnu lesser general public license, applies to certain designated libraries, and is quite different from the ordinary general public license. By contrast, the gnu general public license is intended to guarantee your freedom to share and change all versions of a programto make sure it remains free software for all its users. All open source software contained in smartrg products is distributed without any warranty. Gnu general public license, gnu gpl cesky obecna verejna licence gnu je licence pro svobodny software, puvodne napsana richardem stallmanem pro projekt gnu.
Other than the name change, the lesser gpl is substantially the same as the library gpl. Nov 19, 20 marco fioretti answers a techrepublic members questions about charging fees for software thats made available under the gnu gpl license version 2 or 3. The lgpl and gpl licenses differ with one major exception. The lesser gpl lgpl is used primarily for software libraries. There is a project under the gnu lesser gpl license. The gnu lesser general public license is used by a few but not all gnu libraries. The gnu lesser general public license lgpl is a free software license published by the free software foundation fsf.
We, the free software foundation, use the gnu general public license for. We, the free software foundation, use the gnu general public license for most of our software. However, most libraries are intended to be reused and the gpl license doesnt make sense. The licenses for most software and other practical works are designed to take away. The gnu lesser general public license, also known as the lgpl, is a more permissive version of the gpl if opensource software is licensed under the lgpl, other software by contrast, libraries licensed under the gnu lesser general public license lgpl may be linked to. Gnu lesser general public license wikimili, the best. Marco fioretti answers a techrepublic members questions about charging fees for software thats made available under the gnu gpl license version 2 or 3. Micro focus acknowledges the redistribution of the following open source components that are provided under th is license and any other licenses identified in the service portal open source and third party licenses table. Micro focus acknowledges the redistribution of the following open source components that are provided under th is license and any other licenses identified in the service portal open source and third party licenses table gnu lesser general public license. Using lgpl library in a commercial java application hello guys. Software licensed with any gnu license can be used and modified everywhere. Difference between different types of open sources licenses. Aug 26, 2008 sflc continues to conduct gpl enforcement and compliance efforts for many of its clients who release their software under the gpl, the gnu lesser public license lgpl and other copyleft licenses. Gpl je nejpopularnejsim a dobre znamym prikladem silne copyleftove licence, ktera vyzaduje, aby byla odvozena dila dostupna pod toutez licenci.
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