4 ms·

But wouldn't that be like some company using gpl licensed code to host a code generator for something? At least in a legal interpretation. Or is that different?

advael 6mo ago
I mean, is the case you're making that you can run a SaaS business on GPL-derived code without fulfilling GPL obligations because you're not distributing a binary?
- Akronymus 6mo ago
  I guess I am. I genuinly am just a layperson trying to look at what the law would say, so everything is speculation.
  - advael 6mo ago
    If true that would seem to invalidate the entire GPL, but even by that logic, a website (such as chatGPT) distributes javascript that runs the code, and programs like claude code also do so. Again, if you can slip the GPL's requirements through indirection like having your application go phone home to your server to go get the infringing parts, the GPL would essentially unenforceable in... most contexts
    - fragmede 6mo ago
      That's where the AGPL comes in. The GPL(v2) does not require eg Google or Facebook to release any of the changes they've made to the Linux kernel. That they do so is not because of a legal obligation to do so. The "to get parts" thing is the relevant detail to be very specific on. If those parts are a binary that is used, then the GPL does kick in, but for distributing source code that's possibly derived, possibly not covered by copyright, it's not been decided in a court of law yet.
- eru 6mo ago
  Yes, that's exactly what people do and did. That 'loophole' is the whole reason people came up with https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Affero_General_Public_License https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Affero_General_Public_Lice...
oblio 6mo ago
And why would that be different or allowed? Sure, you get all the code you want, GPL licensed. Everybody is trying to have their cake and eat it, too, by license laundering. Heck, money laundering means you at least lose some of the money.
- Akronymus 6mo ago
  I have no idea. I genuinly was asking out of curiosity on what the law actually means for that while speculating.

advael 6mo ago

I mean, is the case you're making that you can run a SaaS business on GPL-derived code without fulfilling GPL obligations because you're not distributing a binary?

Akronymus 6mo ago
I guess I am. I genuinly am just a layperson trying to look at what the law would say, so everything is speculation.
- advael 6mo ago
  If true that would seem to invalidate the entire GPL, but even by that logic, a website (such as chatGPT) distributes javascript that runs the code, and programs like claude code also do so. Again, if you can slip the GPL's requirements through indirection like having your application go phone home to your server to go get the infringing parts, the GPL would essentially unenforceable in... most contexts
  - fragmede 6mo ago
    That's where the AGPL comes in. The GPL(v2) does not require eg Google or Facebook to release any of the changes they've made to the Linux kernel. That they do so is not because of a legal obligation to do so. The "to get parts" thing is the relevant detail to be very specific on. If those parts are a binary that is used, then the GPL does kick in, but for distributing source code that's possibly derived, possibly not covered by copyright, it's not been decided in a court of law yet.
eru 6mo ago
Yes, that's exactly what people do and did. That 'loophole' is the whole reason people came up with https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Affero_General_Public_License https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Affero_General_Public_Lice...

oblio 6mo ago

And why would that be different or allowed? Sure, you get all the code you want, GPL licensed. Everybody is trying to have their cake and eat it, too, by license laundering. Heck, money laundering means you at least lose some of the money.

Akronymus 6mo ago
I have no idea. I genuinly was asking out of curiosity on what the law actually means for that while speculating.