The asf and its projects release their software products under the apache license. Good patent clauses that can be put into software licences include. The fsf claims that gpl v2 is incompatible with apache 2. Gnu gpl, lgpl, apache licence types and differences. Gpl, lgpl, apache, bsd, the great thing about open source code is the large amount of high quality code that is available and many embedded projects use foss code as it really speeds up development time. It always contains the text of the apache license, and sometimes more.
The gpl is for the advancement of free software, but only for free software authors. The gnu lesser general public license lgpl is a freesoftware license published by the free software foundation fsf. The apache software foundation asf, clearly say that forking some apache licensed code into your gpl project is illegal because then the apache software would have to be distributed under gplv3. If you have some code you are thinking of releasing under an open source license, and you want a quick overview of the broadstrokes differences between these licenses, you have come to the right place. Sony mobile offers to provide source code of software licensed under the gpl or lgpl or some other open source licenses allowing source code distribution to you on a cdrom for a charge covering. It is important to note that there are no files in the richfaces source that individually contain both apache. Since you have access to the codes through open source software, you are permitted to make changes, improve it, and create your own twist. Restrictive or more restrictive less restrictive depends a lot on the point of view. Various licenses and comments about them gnu project free. Releasing opensource software including apache2 and lgpl. The question seems to be whether there is a licensing problem in richfaces because, while much of the code is specifically licensed under lgpl version 2. The free software foundation may publish revised andor new versions of the gnu lesser general public license from time to time.
If you modify the software, you still have to give back the source code, but you are allowed to link it with proprietary stuff without giving the source code to all of that back. Gpld not lgpl libraries and programs can not be used in any way in proprietary software. The apache license is an open source software license released by the apache software foundation asf. If it is important, check with the holders of the libraries to be sure.
Top 10 apache license questions answered whitesource. Difference between gpl and lgpl difference between. However, gplv3 software cannot be included in apache projects. The apache license is recognised by the open source initiative as a popular and widely deployed licence with a strong community. Heres the part of the lgpl that poses the restriction. This would be incompatible with asfs requirement that all apache software must be distributed under the apache license 2. Gnu lesser general public license lgpl version 3 this is the latest version of the lgpl. For a softwareuser the mit might result in software that is more restricted than the one available under gpl even some call the gpl more restrictive nowadays. The gnu lgpl is very popular among independent developers and companies which mainly deal with open source software. Licensor shall mean the owner or entity authorized by the owner that is granting the.
Apr 02, 2016 gpl lgpl gpl gpl, lgpl both are created by the gnu project the gpl and lgpl prohibit covered software and all derivative work from having its source code hidden from the public assumption. Open source licenses grant permission for anybody to use, modify, and share licensed software for any purpose, subject to conditions preserving the provenance and openness of the software. What is foss licensesapache, bsd, gpl, lgpl explained techcode. This dooms it to being appropriate for only trivial projects. The lgpl is similar to the gpl, but is more designed for software libraries where you want to allow nongpl applications to link to your library and utilise it. Qt dual gplqpl would pick qpl in this case since gpl is not compatible with apache license kdekspread lgpl apache poi library apache software license the apache poi library would essentially work as a plugin filter to the kspread library. Patent clauses in software licences software patents. It allows users of the lgpl software to combine it with other software, whether it is free or proprietary. This is a guest post from exygys long time counsel. Gpl and lgpl refer to their latest versions the latest version of the lgpl. For a software user the mit might result in software that is more restricted than the one available under gpl even some call the gpl more restrictive nowadays. If you modify the software, you still have to give back the source code, but you are allowed to link it with proprietary. The gpl licenses gplv3, gplv2, lgpl, affero gpl all contain. Asf 3rd party license policy the apache software foundation.
The gnu lesser general public license gnu lgpl was designed as a solution for such situations. If you want people to use your code in this day and age, a patent release. What is foss licensesapache, bsd, gpl, lgpl explained. Among other things, were often asking joe about software licensing issues. Gpl lgpl gpl gpl, lgpl both are created by the gnu project the gpl and lgpl prohibit covered software and all derivative work from having its source code hidden from the public assumption. However, the linking exception of the lgpl allows linking from an apache 2.
The apache license, on the other hand, is favored by the big corporations for their open source projects. Since the apache 2 library was designed to be linked with any software, it was implicitly also designed to link with the library in question and is therefore a work that uses the library. Zach is a bay area native and is raising three boys in san francisco with his wife dr. The legal basics of software licensing techrepublic. Various licenses and comments about them gnu project. The licenses are incompatible in one direction only, and it is a result of asfs licensing philosophy and the gplv3 authors interpretation of law. You can freely use, modify, distribute and sell a software licensed under the apache license without worrying about the use of software. The license allows developers and companies to use and integrate a software component released under the lgpl into their own even proprietary software without being required by the terms of a strong copyleft license to release the source code of their own components.
Agpl restrictive licensing gpl products lgpl libraries agpl network services. It is also a copyleft license and modified versions must be released under the same license. What is open source software vs proprietary software closed source software gpl license. Tldrlegal software licenses explained in plain english.
Roshen is a partner at exygy with deep experience in leadership, change management, product, and digital innovation. Here is a list of the components and their licenses. Gpl is basically the legal terminology that makes open source software what it is. Weve compiled a list of your top 10 questions about the gpl license in the last post. Apache license spot the differences due to the helpful visualizations at a glance category. The licenses are incompatible in one direction only, and it is a result of asfs licensing. Yes, giving users even a smidgen of freedom like the gpl does is harmful. In this article, we take a look at the difference between this two licenses to find out why. Lgpl is used for software libraries, versus the execution files of gpl. What is the difference between gpl, agpl and lgpl licenses. It allows users to use the software for any purpose, to distribute it, to modify it, and to distribute modified versions of the software under the terms of the license, without concern for royalties. The gnu lesser general public license lgpl the lgpl is essentially the same as the gpl and it will keep the lgpl licensed software free, but there is one critical distinction. The gnu general public license is a free software license, created by the free software foundationfsf. The gnulgpl is very popular among independent developers and companies which mainly deals with open source software.
Gpl offers a wide range of potential improvements for the entire programming community. The lesser general public license is sometimes described as a weak copyleft license, because code licensed under lgpls terms can be combined with code under nonfree licenses, and is. License shall mean the terms and conditions for use, reproduction, and distribution as defined by sections 1 through 9 of this document. This figure shows the rules when you are making other software part of the weakly protected component. Gnu lgpl lesser general public license covers around 10% of the free software projects and is mainly used by libraries. In contrast to lgpl, gpl requires that you provide the code for all changes made to the software. Who could say the terrible things that would happen if we dont keep the peasants well whipped and in their place. Gnu lesser gpl and apache software licenses denver.
Let us examine why these corporations stay away from gpl and favor the apache license. In short, you link to an existing lgpl library call this the first party, but the software that makes this link must be made lgpl. The gnu lgpl is very popular among independent developers and companies which mainly deals with open source software. This is done in a relatively simple fashion by taking the. For example, it must be possible for any user of the finished software to modify, recompile or replace the portion of the software that is licensed under the lgpl and use this modified code with the same software. Almost everyone in the software industry is at least somewhat aware of open source software and open source licenses apache 2. As managing partner, zach focuses on leading the organizations strategy, partnership development, and continuous improvement. The gnu lesser general public license lgpl is the most popular weakly protective license, and has a version 2. Anthony dos santos christopher nicolae gauthier chaty jean max saintsurin. It is a software license published by the free software foundation.
These clauses only apply to patent holders who distribute the software which uses this licence. Releasing opensource software including apache2 and lgpl libraries. Apache 2 software can therefore be included in gplv3 projects, because the gplv3 license accepts our software into gplv3 works. They say that richfaces which is licensed under lgpl v2. Lgpl license is incompatible with apache license issue. The gnu lesser general public license, also known as the lgpl, is a more permissive version of the gpl the gnu general public license. Heres the second post in our open source software license faq series. We have got to know from legal department that we cant use lgpl 2. What is open source software vs proprietary softwareclosed source software gpl license. Gpl and lgpl open source licensing restrictions stack.
Assembling license and notice files the apache software. The stronger the clause, the less likely it is that dangerous patent holders will distribute software that uses the licence. Such new versions will be similar in spirit to the present version, but may differ in detail to address new problems or concerns. The apache license is a permissive free software license written by the apache software foundation asf. Asl, which is widely used in the opensource software community and has been approved by the open source initiative, is a. Before using a free software library, application or operating system, make. Downstream users of apachelicensed software are given wide latitude as to how they use and license the software.
To understand the difference between gpl and lgpl you have to understand the basic idea of open source software. Each time you redistribute the library or any work based on the library, the recipient automatically receives. Installation is fairly simple and straightforward, but does require a few things. Gnu lesser gpl and apache software licenses denver business. If it cant be used to help everyone, including evil proprietary coders. Software engineering stack exchange is a question and answer site for professionals, academics, and students working within the systems development life cycle. The gnu lesser general public license lgpl is the most popular weakly protective license, and.
Most surveys indicate that the vast majority of open source projects use the mit license, the apache license, and the gpl or their variants. If you are publishing otherwise proprietary software containing some lgpl code, one way of satisfying this requirement is to place. Among the two gpl is the basis of open source software for programmers. It doesnt matter if you think theres nothing patentable in your code. Although the second party software must be released as lgpl, as the owner of the second party software you can allow other software to use it outside of the lgpl as long as the second party software remains available under lgpl as well. Id even love to see it under plain gpl to spread opensource software. The differences between the gpl, lgpl and the bsd fosswire. Gpl, also known as copyleft, grants permission to reuse or modify the source code to make derivative works, but if you distribute your program to others, it requires you to license your derivative work under the gpl too. The following licenses are sorted by the number of conditions, from most gnu agplv3 to none unlicense. Gnu library or lesser general public license version 2. The license file communicates the licensing of all content in an apache product distribution. That user in specific will call the mit more restrictive.
Why corporations favors the apache license over the gpllgpl. Scptoolkit is a free windows driver and xinput wrapper for sony dualshock 34 controllers. Assembling license and notice files this is a how to guide for apache committers assembling license and notice files for an apache product. Otherwise, java projects may contain both apachelicensed code and lgpl licensed code without conflict. She is currently an account and strategy partner for exygy s civic portfolio, which includes the city and county of sf, center for effective public policy, metropolitan transportation commission, and judicial council of california. As a reminder, open source software licenses generally allows users to make use of, change, and share the software with.
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