Introduction to GPL & It’s Key features
GPL – General Public License
The GPL, or GNU General Public License, is a widely used open source software license developed by the Free Software Foundation (FSF). It’s designed to ensure that software remains free and open for the community, promoting the principles of free software.
There are two major versions of the GPL:
1. GPL version 2 (GPLv2):
- Published in 1991.
- Emphasizes principles of user freedom and the idea that software should be available to all.
- It enforces the concept of copyleft, which means that any derivative work based on GPL-licensed code must also be released under the GPL.
- It’s the license under which many early and influential open source projects were released, including the Linux kernel.
2. GPL version 3 (GPLv3):
- Published in 2007 as an update to GPLv2.
- Addresses some of the issues that emerged with changing technology, like patents and digital rights management (DRM).
- Provides more explicit protections against software patents.
- Contains clauses about software distributed over a network (like web applications) and hardware restrictions.
- Clarifies licensing compatibility with other open source licenses.
Both versions of the GPL share the core principles of user freedom, access to source code, and copyleft. However, GPLv3 was developed to address specific challenges that arose in the digital landscape over time.
When developers release their software under the GPL, they choose which version of the license to use. Some projects, especially older ones, remain under GPLv2, while newer projects often adopt GPLv3 to take advantage of its updated protections and provisions.
It’s important for developers and users alike to understand the specific terms and conditions of the GPL version under which a particular software project is licensed. This ensures compliance with the license and helps maintain the integrity of the open source ecosystem.
Key Features of GPL:
The GPL, or GNU General Public License, is a widely used open source software license developed by the Free Software Foundation (FSF). It’s designed to ensure that software remains free and open for the community, promoting the principles of free software.
Here are some key points about the GPL:
- Freedom to Use: Users are free to run, study, modify, and distribute the software covered by the GPL.
- Access to Source Code: The GPL requires that the source code of the software be made available to users. This means that users have the ability to examine and modify the code.
- Copyleft Principle: The GPL employs a copyleft mechanism. This means that any derivative work based on GPL-licensed code must also be released under the GPL. This ensures that modifications and improvements are also made freely available to the community.
- Distribution of Derivative Works: If you create a modified version of a GPL-licensed software and distribute it, you must also provide the source code of your modified version.
- Commercial Use: The GPL does not prohibit commercial use of the software. You can sell GPL-licensed software or use it in a commercial product, but you must still comply with the license’s requirements, including providing access to the source code.
- Compatibility with Other Licenses: The GPL is designed to be compatible with other GPL licenses. This allows software covered by different versions of the GPL to be combined or used together.
- No Warranty: The GPL comes with no warranty. It’s provided “as-is,” and the developers or distributors of the software are not held liable for any damages or issues that may arise from its use.
The GPL has several versions, such as GPL version 2 (GPLv2) and GPL version 3 (GPLv3), each with specific terms and conditions. When developers release their software under the GPL, they choose which version to use.
Many prominent open source projects, including the Linux kernel, GNU Compiler Collection (GCC), and many others, are licensed under the GPL. The license has played a significant role in the growth and success of the open source software movement.
