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No, the GPL doesn't allow App Store applications. I don't think Apple cares what you do with your source code.
by scraplab 14y ago
No, the GPL doesn't allow App Store applications. I don't think Apple cares what you do with your source code.
- fingerprinter 14y agoThat can't possibly be right, can it? Do you have a source for that?
- officemonkey 14y agoFolks who like the GPL may not like the Apple plantation, but NOTHING stops anyone from releasing their code under the GPL. You don't need permission from EFF, GNU.org, or Stallman himself to release your source under the GPL.
- autodidakto 14y agoLook up the VLC on iOS story. Apple approved it, then the developer of VLC (who gave permission to the iOS developers, Applidium i think) decided to come out of nowhere and challenge the app. They argued that GPL was incompatible with the app store rules and therefore apple should change their rules or get rid of GPL apps. I think it's the DRM they wrap around the binary that makes it incompatible. Apple said yawn and removed the app. Their reasoning was that the original copyright holder, the VLC head French guy, was disputting it. But, my guess is iff you submit GPL'ed code and no one complains, apple could care less (how would they even know?). And if you are the copyright holder, you can of course release it under GPL and submit it to apple. It's hard to say what the VLC guy's motivations were or if he cared that Applidium was screwed over.
- Dylan16807 14y agoThe GPL has a small deficiency that each entity in the distribution chain has to provide source code. If it allowed that responsibility to pass through apple to the developer there wouldn't be an issue. Since apple isn't interested in performing that service, no GPL code in the app store.