Can someone explain to me what this means? - Hi, I want to use some software with the lesser GPL license. I haven't heard of this before and as

Jason · 9th August 2009, 11:41 AM

Hi,

I want to use some software with the lesser GPL license. I haven't heard of this before and as I plan to use it on client sites I need to be sure that the license won't land clients in hot water.

There is a wiki link here but I cannot get my head around it.

GNU Lesser General Public License - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What can I do, what can't I do with software licensed under this license?

CloudedVision · 9th August 2009, 02:31 PM

If it's licensed under the GPL or LGPL feel free to use it on your site. The GPL license states that if you publicly distribute it in a software of your creation, that software must also be licensed under the GPL. The LGPL doesn't have this restriction. But either one is 100% free to use on your website (The wonders of open source....)

Jason · 9th August 2009, 06:17 PM

So its also free to edit and modify right?

CloudedVision · 10th August 2009, 12:54 AM

Yep. Here's an overview of the GPL: OSS Watch - The GNU General Public License v2 - An Overview It doesn't cover the LGPL, but thats very similar. The only difference I know of is that the distributed software does not have to be under the GPL in the LGPL license.

Jason · 10th August 2009, 06:42 AM

Thanks for the help :)

bonnit · 15th September 2009, 11:39 AM

i think with any gpl scripts, you are really supposed to re-release any modifications too with credit to original author too? i may be wrong....

CloudedVision · 15th September 2009, 08:55 PM

I believe thats the MIT license, although I am not sure.

9th August 2009, 11:41 AM	#1
Jason Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hatfield, UK Posts: 170 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts Expertise: PHP Experience: Professional	Can someone explain to me what this means? Hi, I want to use some software with the lesser GPL license. I haven't heard of this before and as I plan to use it on client sites I need to be sure that the license won't land clients in hot water. There is a wiki link here but I cannot get my head around it. GNU Lesser General Public License - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia What can I do, what can't I do with software licensed under this license?

9th August 2009, 02:31 PM	#2
CloudedVision Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Your Imagination Posts: 624 Blog Entries: 4 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 21 Posts Expertise: PHP Experience: Professional	If it's licensed under the GPL or LGPL feel free to use it on your site. The GPL license states that if you publicly distribute it in a software of your creation, that software must also be licensed under the GPL. The LGPL doesn't have this restriction. But either one is 100% free to use on your website (The wonders of open source....) __________________ Panthr - Web Design and Development

10th August 2009, 12:54 AM	#4
CloudedVision Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Your Imagination Posts: 624 Blog Entries: 4 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 21 Posts Expertise: PHP Experience: Professional	Yep. Here's an overview of the GPL: OSS Watch - The GNU General Public License v2 - An Overview It doesn't cover the LGPL, but thats very similar. The only difference I know of is that the distributed software does not have to be under the GPL in the LGPL license. __________________ Panthr - Web Design and Development

15th September 2009, 08:55 PM	#7
CloudedVision Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Your Imagination Posts: 624 Blog Entries: 4 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 21 Posts Expertise: PHP Experience: Professional	I believe thats the MIT license, although I am not sure. __________________ Panthr - Web Design and Development

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9th August 2009, 06:17 PM	#3
Jason Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hatfield, UK Posts: 170 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts Expertise: PHP Experience: Professional	So its also free to edit and modify right?

10th August 2009, 06:42 AM	#5
Jason Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hatfield, UK Posts: 170 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts Expertise: PHP Experience: Professional	Thanks for the help :)

15th September 2009, 11:39 AM	#6
bonnit Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 147 Blog Entries: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	i think with any gpl scripts, you are really supposed to re-release any modifications too with credit to original author too? i may be wrong....