GNU/GPL License

vinyl-junkie · 01-29-2004, 07:46 PM

Charter, I've been working on some search scripts that I'm wondering if they would be something that could use a GNU/GPL license like you use for your search engine. I've gone out to the gnu.org website but I'm really confused as to how the organization works.

Here's a little background on my stuff. I have some purchased software,which is maintained on my desktop. that I use to catalog my music collection. This software has MS Access as a back end. I've written search scripts for this database in ASP for the Access version, and I'm almost finished with a PHP/MySQL version. Oh, and for what it's worth, I've let the developer of the desktop software know what I'm doing, and he has no problem with it at all. He has even included a link on his website to mine.

What I'd like to do is distribute my scripts for free to whoever wants them without worrying about someone claiming them as their own and selling them. Does this sound like something that the gnu.org organization is interested in? If so, how would I go about contacting them about it?

Charter · 01-29-2004, 09:15 PM

Hi. IANAA but here is my understanding of GNU/GPL.

Anyone can release software under GNU/GPL. As long as your scripts are your work, and are separate from the commercial software, you can apply any appropriate license.

The gnu.org site has a list of various licenses here. Also, there is a GNU/GPL FAQ here, and the GNU/GPL is here.

Even though software may be GNU/GPL, the software is not necessarily a GNU package, but software need not be in order to apply GNU/GPL.

GNU/GPL software as of Version 2 does not limit the removal of links, code modifications, etcetera. It is the copyright that is not to be deleted.

The selling of GNU/GPL software is permitted, even if the seller is not the origianl author. Basically the premise behind GNU/GPL is free to do rather than $0.00 free.

If you want to release under GNU/GPL, then you just do, no approval needed.

01-29-2004, 07:46 PM	#1
vinyl-junkie Purple Mole Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 694	GNU/GPL License Charter, I've been working on some search scripts that I'm wondering if they would be something that could use a GNU/GPL license like you use for your search engine. I've gone out to the gnu.org website but I'm really confused as to how the organization works. Here's a little background on my stuff. I have some purchased software,which is maintained on my desktop. that I use to catalog my music collection. This software has MS Access as a back end. I've written search scripts for this database in ASP for the Access version, and I'm almost finished with a PHP/MySQL version. Oh, and for what it's worth, I've let the developer of the desktop software know what I'm doing, and he has no problem with it at all. He has even included a link on his website to mine. What I'd like to do is distribute my scripts for free to whoever wants them without worrying about someone claiming them as their own and selling them. Does this sound like something that the gnu.org organization is interested in? If so, how would I go about contacting them about it?

01-29-2004, 09:15 PM	#2
Charter Head Mole Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,539	Hi. IANAA but here is my understanding of GNU/GPL. Anyone can release software under GNU/GPL. As long as your scripts are your work, and are separate from the commercial software, you can apply any appropriate license. The gnu.org site has a list of various licenses here. Also, there is a GNU/GPL FAQ here, and the GNU/GPL is here. Even though software may be GNU/GPL, the software is not necessarily a GNU package, but software need not be in order to apply GNU/GPL. GNU/GPL software as of Version 2 does not limit the removal of links, code modifications, etcetera. It is the copyright that is not to be deleted. The selling of GNU/GPL software is permitted, even if the seller is not the origianl author. Basically the premise behind GNU/GPL is free to do rather than $0.00 free. If you want to release under GNU/GPL, then you just do, no approval needed. __________________ Responses are offered on a voluntary if/as time is available basis, no guarantees. Double posting or bumping threads will not get your question answered any faster. No support via PM or email, responses not guaranteed. Thank you for your comprehension.