Who here knows anything about the GPL license? - WickedFire - Affiliate Marketing Forum

subigo · 10-16-2010, 06:37 PM

I'm trying to figure something out and I can't get a straight answer anywhere, even the GNU site itself is a retarded when it comes to this...

I'm creating a server control panel for my vps users. It's closed-source. This control panel is "using" a file management script (Webnight Commander | Download Webnight Commander software for free at SourceForge.net) that is released under GNU GPL. When someone installs my control panel, it also installs the file manager into a sub-folder, which I then iframe into the panel itself for easy access.

This is fine, yes? I've got people telling me a million different things, so I figured I'd ask you guys too... because, you know, you're all wonderful brilliant geniuses.

This is part of the GNU site that I originally read, which made be think it was okay:

I would like to bundle GPLed software with some sort of installation software. Does that installer need to have a GPL-compatible license?
No. The installer and the files it installs are separate works. As a result, the terms of the GPL do not apply to the installation software.

papajohn56 · 10-17-2010, 01:25 AM

You're fine. I've seen this a lot before, you can use an open source component to a closed-source piece of software, just include it in the terms of use and offer the source to the component on request (in the terms state this)

"Some components to this work are offered under the GNU Public License. The source is available upon request" and list the component.

somebody · 10-17-2010, 02:22 AM

"A compilation of a covered work with other separate and independent
works, which are not by their nature extensions of the covered work,
and which are not combined with it such as to form a larger program,
in or on a volume of a storage or distribution medium, is called an
"aggregate" if the compilation and its resulting copyright are not
used to limit the access or legal rights of the compilation's users
beyond what the individual works permit. Inclusion of a covered work
in an aggregate does not cause this License to apply to the other
parts of the aggregate."

Tricky situation. Just my opinion.

10-16-2010, 06:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
subigo Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: TACOS $1.00! Posts: 4,000 iTrader: 15 / 100%	Who here knows anything about the GPL license? I'm trying to figure something out and I can't get a straight answer anywhere, even the GNU site itself is a retarded when it comes to this... I'm creating a server control panel for my vps users. It's closed-source. This control panel is "using" a file management script (Webnight Commander \| Download Webnight Commander software for free at SourceForge.net) that is released under GNU GPL. When someone installs my control panel, it also installs the file manager into a sub-folder, which I then iframe into the panel itself for easy access. This is fine, yes? I've got people telling me a million different things, so I figured I'd ask you guys too... because, you know, you're all wonderful brilliant geniuses. This is part of the GNU site that I originally read, which made be think it was okay: I would like to bundle GPLed software with some sort of installation software. Does that installer need to have a GPL-compatible license? No. The installer and the files it installs are separate works. As a result, the terms of the GPL do not apply to the installation software. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-17-2010, 01:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
papajohn56 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SC Posts: 7,217 iTrader: 17 / 100%	You're fine. I've seen this a lot before, you can use an open source component to a closed-source piece of software, just include it in the terms of use and offer the source to the component on request (in the terms state this) "Some components to this work are offered under the GNU Public License. The source is available upon request" and list the component. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-17-2010, 02:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
somebody Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 289 iTrader: 0 / 0%	"A compilation of a covered work with other separate and independent works, which are not by their nature extensions of the covered work, and which are not combined with it such as to form a larger program, in or on a volume of a storage or distribution medium, is called an "aggregate" if the compilation and its resulting copyright are not used to limit the access or legal rights of the compilation's users beyond what the individual works permit. Inclusion of a covered work in an aggregate does not cause this License to apply to the other parts of the aggregate." Tricky situation. Just my opinion. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

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