GNU General Public License

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Stallman GPLv3 launch MIT 060116

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Quick-guide-gplv3-compatibility

GNU General Public License (GPL) is a widely used free software license, which guarantees end users the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software. The license was created by Richard Stallman and the Free Software Foundation (FSF) to protect the four freedoms of software users: the freedom to use the software for any purpose, the freedom to change the software to suit their needs, the freedom to share the software with friends and neighbors, and the freedom to share the changes they make.

History

The first version of the GNU General Public License, Version 1, was released on February 25, 1989. This was followed by Version 2 in June 1991, and Version 3 in June 2007. Each version has been designed to address the evolving needs of the free software community and to respond to threats to software freedom, such as software patents and Digital Rights Management (DRM).

Terms and Conditions

The GPL is a copyleft license, which means that derivative work can only be distributed under the same license terms. This is in contrast to permissive free software licenses, which allow proprietary derivative works. The GPL aims to ensure that the software remains free and open, and that the freedoms of the end user are protected.

The key provisions of the GPL include:

• The requirement to provide source code to the recipients of the software.
• The requirement that modified versions be marked as changed, so that their problems will not be attributed erroneously to authors of previous versions.
• The stipulation that if proprietary software is distributed along with GPL-licensed software, the entire combined work must be licensed under the GPL.

GPLv3

The most recent version, GPLv3, introduced several significant changes, including improved compatibility with other licenses, a clear definition of source code, and protection against software patents. It also includes provisions to prevent Tivoization (the practice of designing hardware to prevent users from running modified versions of the software it contains) and to address concerns related to anti-circumvention laws.

Criticism and Controversy

The GPL has been subject to criticism and legal challenges. Critics argue that the GPL's requirements can be overly restrictive, making it difficult to integrate GPL-licensed code with code under other licenses. Some also argue that the GPL discourages commercial use, although companies like Red Hat and Canonical Ltd. have built successful business models around GPL-licensed software.

Impact

The GPL has had a significant impact on the software industry, promoting the growth of the free software movement and influencing the development of other open source licenses. It has been instrumental in the success of software projects like the Linux kernel, GNU Compiler Collection (GCC), and the GNU Emacs text editor.

See Also

• Free Software Foundation
• Open Source Initiative
• Copyleft
• Software license