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Re: Legal stuf, GPL, ...





> Interesting issue IMO. I'd like to pursue this a bit further...
> 
> You all mentioned that I 'must' publish the source code if I use a GPL
> source code in my app. How hard must I work to publish this code? Is it
> enough to:
> 1. Write 'if you want the source code e-mail me' in the installation file or
> the docs?
> 2. Bury a statement like 'the sources are available in: ftp.bla.com' deep on
> the web site in nearly invisible letters?
> 3. Not say anything at all (but if someone asks, supply them the sources)?
> 
> Remember the GPL is a legal document. I know the 'spirit' of GPL is
> different, but I'm curious about the formal part of it...

Um, I think it's pretty clear:

 3. You may copy and distribute the Program (or a work based on it,
under Section 2) in object code or executable form under the terms of
Sections 1 and 2 above provided that you also do one of the following:

    a) Accompany it with the complete corresponding machine-readable
    source code, which must be distributed under the terms of Sections
    1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,

    b) Accompany it with a written offer, valid for at least three
    years, to give any third party, for a charge no more than your
    cost of physically performing source distribution, a complete
    machine-readable copy of the corresponding source code, to be
    distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium
    customarily used for software interchange; or,

    c) Accompany it with the information you received as to the offer
    to distribute corresponding source code.  (This alternative is
    allowed only for noncommercial distribution and only if you
    received the program in object code or executable form with such
    an offer, in accord with Subsection b above.)


I don't see how this matters, anyhow; if you don't want to publish your
source code, it doesn't matter just exactly how you publish it.

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