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Ask HN: implications of using GPL'ed Ruby library inside a SAAS service ?

I'm quite puzzled by this question - maybe someone here will be able to give a clear answer. My current understanding is that I'd have to state I use the GPL library, and would have to send the library code (not the whole server code) to anyone asking (including modifications, if any). Did I understand properly ?

DanielStraight 17y ago
You can use all the GPL code you want on your server without telling or sharing it with anyone. GPL only matters when you're redistributing a program using GPL code. I am not a lawyer. This is not legal advice.
- thibaut_barrere 17y ago
  Thanks Daniel - I'm going to try to find some written evidence of that.
- icey 17y ago
  I think AGPL changes this, but I'm not sure. Frankly, GPL licensing after version 2 is so confusing to me that I just avoid it whenever possible.
  - thibaut_barrere 17y ago
    Yay. I'm totally confused as well. I read things that tell very different stories, and all end up with "you should ask your lawyer" (who has no clue). Currently I just think I'm going to stay away and find an alternative, it's just too confusing.
casualjim 17y ago
it's Free as in libre not gratuit And free means that your source code has to be available, users should be able to modify the application etc etc. But it doesn't mean you can't charge money for it. Enterprises can't do GPL because then their users can ask for the source code of internal applications and that is a big no no because they could sell them to competitors etc So I think you're correct ;)
thibaut_barrere 17y ago
Interesting thread on the topic: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/94346/can-i-legally-incorporate-gpl-lgpl-open-sourced-software-in-a-proprietary-clo/94433#94433 http://stackoverflow.com/questions/94346/can-i-legally-incor... So having a hosted service with GPL2 would be ok, but GPL3 seems to be an issue. It also opens the question on weither a project with just "GPL" specified (not 2 or 3) automatically moves to GPL 3. I'm not sure to understand. I'll definitely go away from the library if I don't.

DanielStraight 17y ago

You can use all the GPL code you want on your server without telling or sharing it with anyone. GPL only matters when you're redistributing a program using GPL code. I am not a lawyer. This is not legal advice.

thibaut_barrere 17y ago
Thanks Daniel - I'm going to try to find some written evidence of that.
icey 17y ago
I think AGPL changes this, but I'm not sure. Frankly, GPL licensing after version 2 is so confusing to me that I just avoid it whenever possible.
- thibaut_barrere 17y ago
  Yay. I'm totally confused as well. I read things that tell very different stories, and all end up with "you should ask your lawyer" (who has no clue). Currently I just think I'm going to stay away and find an alternative, it's just too confusing.

casualjim 17y ago

it's Free as in libre not gratuit And free means that your source code has to be available, users should be able to modify the application etc etc. But it doesn't mean you can't charge money for it. Enterprises can't do GPL because then their users can ask for the source code of internal applications and that is a big no no because they could sell them to competitors etc So I think you're correct ;)

thibaut_barrere 17y ago

Interesting thread on the topic: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/94346/can-i-legally-incorporate-gpl-lgpl-open-sourced-software-in-a-proprietary-clo/94433#94433 http://stackoverflow.com/questions/94346/can-i-legally-incor... So having a hosted service with GPL2 would be ok, but GPL3 seems to be an issue. It also opens the question on weither a project with just "GPL" specified (not 2 or 3) automatically moves to GPL 3. I'm not sure to understand. I'll definitely go away from the library if I don't.