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Question about GNU License

Started by Gavinl Jun 18, 2007 at 2:45 PM 2 replies 500+ views

Original Post

Jun 18, 2007 at 2:45 PM

Hello there, I just have a quick question about the GNU Public License, in particular to the FLTK GUI library. If I use the FLTK library to write a, lets say a TCP server application. But I do not modify any of the original FLTK library. Am I allowed to sell my TCP Server application (or provide my application for free, but don't make the source code available)? Or do I have to provide it for free and provide the source code to my application? I saw this in the GNU license, but I just want to make sure I am allowed to do that. 5. A program that contains no derivative of any portion of the Library, but is designed to work with the Library by being compiled or linked with it, is called a "work that uses the Library". Such a work, in isolation, is not a derivative work of the Library, and therefore falls outside the scope of this License. Thanks Gavin [Edited by - Gavinl on June 18, 2007 5:46:47 PM]

rip-off

Jun 18, 2007 at 3:00 PM

The idea behind the LGPL is that you can sell programs that use, but do not change, the library. This seems to be what your program falls under.

As long as the end user can change library versions then you should be fine and do not need to distribute any source. This means if you link dynamically you'll be fine. Otherwise you will have to distribute either the source or the object code of your application to allow users to recompile or relink the application with a newer version of the library.

That said, I am not a lawyer. This is from my own interpretation of the license and from what I've heard of others interpretation.

erissian

Jun 18, 2007 at 7:16 PM

If you distribute the library, you must distribute the source code of the library. The point of the LGPL is that you don't have to GPL your project just for using said library.

However, if you modify that library in any way, then you have to provide the source code to your revisions, but again only for the library.

Gavinl

Jun 19, 2007 at 9:56 AM

Quote:
Original post by erissian
If you distribute the library, you must distribute the source code of the library. The point of the LGPL is that you don't have to GPL your project just for using said library.

However, if you modify that library in any way, then you have to provide the source code to your revisions, but again only for the library.

Ahh cool. Thank you very much.

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