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> if you're using GPL software, you have to publish the modifications. It's pretty simple... If you redistribute GPLed binaries you have to be willing to provi

by gumby 3y ago

> if you're using GPL software, you have to publish the modifications. It's pretty simple... If you redistribute GPLed binaries you have to be willing to provide the source that built that binary, whether it incorporated changes or not, to anyone who asks. “Provide” can include pointing someone at a public repo these days.

Lt_Riza_Hawkeye 3y ago
I believe it only has to be provided to recipients of the binaries, so you can still charge money for linux modifications, such as grsec.
Someone 3y ago
I don’t think it necessarily is “to anyone who asks”. https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html#license-text https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html#license-text, article 6a: “a) Convey the object code in, or embodied in, a physical product (including a physical distribution medium), accompanied by the Corresponding Source fixed on a durable physical medium customarily used for software interchange.” Assuming any “durable physical medium customarily used for software interchange” still exists, that means that, if you choose to ship your software on CD you have to give the source to whomever you distribute the binary, but need not make the source code available to others. If, instead, you go for the distribution method of article 6b, you do have to make the source code available to anyone who possesses the object code, but not indefinitely: “b) Convey the object code in, or embodied in, a physical product (including a physical distribution medium), accompanied by a written offer, valid for at least three years and valid for as long as you offer spare parts or customer support for that product model, to give anyone who possesses the object code either (1) a copy of the Corresponding Source for all the software in the product that is covered by this License, on a durable physical medium customarily used for software interchange, for a price no more than your reasonable cost of physically performing this conveying of source, or (2) access to copy the Corresponding Source from a network server at no charge.” So, if you distribute the binary in a “physical distribution medium”, and then immediately claim to stop supporting that product, I think you’re off the hook if nobody asks for the source code for 3 years. Also, should that “(including a physical distribution medium)” have been there in that article in the license? It means you can sell a CD with your software, immediately stop supporting that CD, and get of the hook in 3years time.
- gumby 3y ago
  Technically only people you furnished the binary to, true. If they give it to a friend, redistribution is their problem. These days you can just post a link to a github repo on your web site
  - galangalalgol 3y ago
    If you are using an entire linux install van you just point to the equivalent list the distro must maintain? I've never seen a list like that for ubi or similar.
  - lowbloodsugar 3y ago
    >Technically only people you furnished the binary to, true. If they give it to a friend, redistribution is their problem. Which they can resolve by asking you for it, so not much of a loophole.

by gumby 3y ago

Lt_Riza_Hawkeye 3y ago

I believe it only has to be provided to recipients of the binaries, so you can still charge money for linux modifications, such as grsec.

Someone 3y ago

I don’t think it necessarily is “to anyone who asks”. https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html#license-text https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html#license-text, article 6a: “a) Convey the object code in, or embodied in, a physical product (including a physical distribution medium), accompanied by the Corresponding Source fixed on a durable physical medium customarily used for software interchange.” Assuming any “durable physical medium customarily used for software interchange” still exists, that means that, if you choose to ship your software on CD you have to give the source to whomever you distribute the binary, but need not make the source code available to others. If, instead, you go for the distribution method of article 6b, you do have to make the source code available to anyone who possesses the object code, but not indefinitely: “b) Convey the object code in, or embodied in, a physical product (including a physical distribution medium), accompanied by a written offer, valid for at least three years and valid for as long as you offer spare parts or customer support for that product model, to give anyone who possesses the object code either (1) a copy of the Corresponding Source for all the software in the product that is covered by this License, on a durable physical medium customarily used for software interchange, for a price no more than your reasonable cost of physically performing this conveying of source, or (2) access to copy the Corresponding Source from a network server at no charge.” So, if you distribute the binary in a “physical distribution medium”, and then immediately claim to stop supporting that product, I think you’re off the hook if nobody asks for the source code for 3 years. Also, should that “(including a physical distribution medium)” have been there in that article in the license? It means you can sell a CD with your software, immediately stop supporting that CD, and get of the hook in 3years time.

gumby 3y ago
Technically only people you furnished the binary to, true. If they give it to a friend, redistribution is their problem. These days you can just post a link to a github repo on your web site
- galangalalgol 3y ago
  If you are using an entire linux install van you just point to the equivalent list the distro must maintain? I've never seen a list like that for ubi or similar.
- lowbloodsugar 3y ago
  >Technically only people you furnished the binary to, true. If they give it to a friend, redistribution is their problem. Which they can resolve by asking you for it, so not much of a loophole.