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Ask HN: Is it legal to charge for GPL source code?

• mindcrime 10y ago
  In general, yes, you can charge for GPL'd code. https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.en.html https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.en.html That said, I'm not 100% sure about the scenario where you distribute the binaries without the source, and invoke the "written offer" clause. It's not totally clear to me if you're allowed to charge in that specific circumstance or not. Edit: OK, at least for the GPLv2, the answer is "yes": https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.en.html https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.en.html 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,
  • funnyfacts365 10y ago
    I see it now! Thanks! Taken from the link above: If I distribute GPL'd software for a fee, am I required to also make it available to the public without a charge? No. However, if someone pays your fee and gets a copy, the GPL gives them the freedom to release it to the public, with or without a fee. For example, someone could pay your fee, and then put her copy on a web site for the general public.
    • walterbell 10y ago
      There are VC-backed companies distributing binaries based on GPL code, which discourage their customers from releasing (or even asking for) source. E.g. the vendor won't sell to anyone unless the order size is six figures or greater. This reduces the chance that the customer cares about either source or the GPL. Even if the customer cares about the source, they may not want to offend the vendor, e.g. lose early access to new features.
      • vog 10y ago
        > E.g. the vendor won't sell [the source] to anyone unless the order size is six figures or greater Note that this is illegal in GPL v2. It contains a clause to prevent exactly that kind of malicious behaviour: > ... for a charge no more than your cost of physically performing source distribution, a complete machine-readable copy of the corresponding source code ... However, GPL v3 explicitly allows for that practice: > You may charge any price or no price for each copy that you convey, and you may offer support or warranty protection for a fee.
        • walterbell 10y ago
          Sadly they are charging for binaries and most customers are unaware there is GPL source associated with the binaries.
          • db48x 10y ago
            If the customer is inattentive enough that they don't notice the licence, that's their own fault.
• db48x 10y ago
  I really like that they spell out what free software they use; that's a good sign.