For the purposes of being included in an apache software foundation product, the following licenses are considered to be similar in terms to the apache license 2. Such new versions will be similar in spirit to the present version, but may differ in detail to address new problems or concerns. Gpl requires you to release the source code of your application if you choose to use and distribute the gpl licensed open source software with your application. Can i use an lgpllicenced library in my commercial app. Gnu general public license gpl gnu lesser general public license lgpl gnu affero general public license agpl gnu free documentation license fdl answers to common questions. That does not mean the new library must be all lgpl software, just that you comply with the lgpl license terms to be able to distribute the lgpl.
When a program is linked with a library, whether statically or using a shared library, the combination of the two is legally speaking a combined work. Revised versions of the gnu lesser general public license. The gnu lesser general public license gnu lgpl was designed as a solution for such situations. Its a software license published by the free software foundation if opensource software is licensed under the lgpl, other software developers may use it for their software development projects even if their projects are closedsource or. Other developers can borrow and modify the code and redistribute it as part of their own project, provided that the portion used under the lgpl is re licensed under the lgpl. If you have a particular question about a free software license, theres a good chance youll find an answer on one of the pages below. What is the difference between gpl, agpl and lgpl licenses. The gnu licenses make no distinction between static and dynamic linking insofar as the definition of a derived work, as applied to compiled software, is concerned. A copy of that license is included in this document on page x. The gnu lesser general public license gnu lgpl was designed as a solution. For example, if you distribute copies of the library, whether gratis or for a fee, you.
A lesser general public license lgpl is a license for opensource software that allows for provisions for including elements of free software in either free or proprietary software. The free software foundation may publish revised andor new versions of the gnu lesser general public license from time to time. There are three versions of the license commonly known as the lgpl. The license allows developers and companies to use and integrate a software component released under the lgpl into their. 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. The gnu general public license gnu gpl or gpl is a widely uised free saftware license, which guarantees end uisers the freedom tae run, study, share an modify the saftware. Differences between gpl and lgpl when using licensed software. Short for general public license, the license that accompanies some open source software that details how the software and its accompany source code can be freely copied, distributed and modified. Gpl compatible yes if software licensed under the license can be combined with software licensed under the gnu general public license, no if not. Lgpl software your api would be considered a derivative work and the new library would then be subject to the same compliance terms as the original software. 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. Lesser general public license is sometimes referred to as library gpl or gnu libraries, and some associate it with the idea of. This license agreement applies to any software library or other program which contains a notice placed by the holder or other authorized party saying it may be distributed under the terms of this lesser general public license also.
It contains all the qt apis and the qt creator ide for seamless crossplatform development qt for application development is dual licensed under commercial and open source licenses. We use this license for certain libraries in order to permit linking those libraries into nonfree programs. Bruce perens is the creator of the open source definition, the manifesto of open source and the criterion for open source software licensing. A software license is a document that provides legally binding guidelines for the use and distribution of software. Then tell the publisher or holder of the specific gplcovered program.
A practical guide to gpl compliance software freedom law. Otherwise, the programs maintainer may be the holder, or else could tell you how to contact the holder, so report it to the. Support to any codecs using gpl licensed software was disabled, so it can be used. The licenses were originally written by richard stallman, former head of the free software foundation fsf, for the gnu project, and grant the recipients of a computer program the rights of the free software. What is the difference between gpl and lgpl in terms of. Other portions of the project are permitted have other licenses. The gnu lesser general public license lgpl is the most popular weakly protective license, and has a version 2. The gnu lesser general public license, also known as the lgpl, is a more permissive version of the gpl the gnu general public license. In a nutshell, the idea of lgpld projects usually libraries is that you are free to use them as you wish in your own application, be it open or closed source, free or proprietary as long as you publish the source code of the lgpld part if you modify the lgpld part, you must publish the modified sources, under lgpl additionally, the libraries must be linked dynamically so that they. You can use it too, but we suggest you first think carefully about whether this license or the ordinary general public license is the better.
Short for lesser general public license, the license that accompanies some open source software that details how the software and its accompany source code. Primarily used for software libraries, the gnu lgpl requires that derived. The freelibre open source software floss license slide. The corresponding application code for a combined work means the object code andor source code for the application, including any data and utility programs. Sony mobile offers to provide source code of software licensed under the gpl or lgpl or some other open source licenses allowing source code distribution to you on a cdrom for a charge covering. To understand what opensource software means to you, it makes sense to understand why opensource. This prevents the code from being used in proprietary software. Free software yes if the license meets the free software definition, no if not. Gnu lesser general public license free definitions by babylon.
Computer dictionary definition of what lgpl means, including related. Fluendo includes ffmpeg libraries licensed under lgpl. A lesser general public license lgpl is a license for opensource software that allows for provisions for including elements of free software in either free or. Well, this assumes that you are either selfemployed, or not employed under a contract such that your company owns your code. Difference between different types of open sources licenses. The most widespread use of gpl is in reference to the gnu gpl, which is commonly abbreviated simply as gpl when it is understood that the term refers. Basically that means releasing software that simply uses.
However be aware that if you or the company ever make changes to the software and want to distribute it, it must be distributed with full source code, on the same license terms as the original software. The gnu lesser general public license lgpl is a free software license created by the free software foundation. The commercial qt license gives you the full rights to create and distribute software on your own terms without any. 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. This license, the gnu lesser general public license, applies to certain designated libraries, and is quite different from the ordinary general public license. Its a software license published by the free software foundation if opensource software is licensed under the lgpl, other software developers may use it for their software development projects even if their projects are closedsource or otherwise. If opensource software is licensed under the lgpl, other software. This license refers to version 3 of the gnu general public license. The gnu general public license gnu gpl or gpl is a series of widely used free software licenses that guarantee end users the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software. When, for example, the software was only for internal use in the company, then. Software licensed with any gnu license can be used and even modified everywhere, including in a corporate environment, without any restrictions.
In summary the lgpl states that any nonderivative work can be released under any terms or licenses. Its generally appropriate for libraries and projects that want to allow linking from nongpl and nonopensource. The license allows developers and companies to use and integrate software 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. Its mostly used for library software meaning parts of other software, with the license name formerly meaning library general public license. The restrictions of including unedited lgpl software in your product are fairly simple and can be somewhat oversimplistically summarized as.
The software included in this product contains ed software that is licensed under the gpl. I am making contributions to a certain project which is released under lgpl and also under a commercial license according to the terms of contribution in the project by doing so i am transferring all my rights and ownership of the code to the company which owns said project. The lgpl and gpl licenses differ with one major exception. Qt for application development lets you create applications for desktop and mobile platforms. Frequently asked questions about the gnu licenses gnu. The license wis oreeginally written bi richard stallman o the free software foundation fsf for the gnu project, an grants the recipients o a computer program the richts o the free software definition.
Asf 3rd party license policy apache software foundation. Can gpl licenced software be used in corporate environments. It is similar to the gnu general public license and is also an open source license. Lgplv2 2a states that if a licensed work is a software library defined in. Gary is correct there are no differences with respect to ownership. This library general public license is intended to permit developers of nonfree programs to use free libraries, while preserving your freedom as a user of such programs to change the free libraries that are incorporated in them. 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.
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