a gpl question

a gpl question

[Gregory Nowak]

Hello Listers,
I know this is sort of off topic, but it's not too much off topic. If a
program is released under version 2 of the gpl, is it a requirement of the
gpl that the source for the program be released as well? This of course
assumes that the program meets all other criteria of the gpl (free of charge
by the author, free distribution, ETC.). Thanks for any help.
Greg Nowak

Re: a gpl question

[Buddy Brannan]

Actually, the GPL doesn't *really* require that the software be free of
charge. Put another way, anyone can charge anything they want for the
distribution of a piece of GPL software (note shrink-wrapped Linux
distros). However, the source code must be freely available, and any
changes to the source code must likewise be placed under the same
stipulations (freely available source code). Note also that while you can
charge whatever you want for a GPL software, so can anyone who buys a
distribution of it from you (I.E. you can charge, then they can turn right
around and give it away for free, again provided that the source is
included and freely available).

Still workin on this Email thing...Gads I wish someone providing virtual
hosting service would let you peek at the control panel before you sign
up...this one's *full* of Javascript and un-alt-tagged graphical links.
<Grrrrrrr>



--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV
Voice mail: 877-791-5298
Email: davros@ycardz.com

Re: a gpl question

[Geoff Shang]

Hi:

My understanding of the GPL as it relates to source code is that you either
need to be given the source or it must be provided to you upon
request.  In other words, it needs to be freely available.  It doesn't need
to be shipped with the application, however.

Geoff.