Code::Blocks Forums

User forums => General (but related to Code::Blocks) => Topic started by: GNG on February 28, 2016, 01:47:51 pm

Title: Understanding the license, GPL
Post by: GNG on February 28, 2016, 01:47:51 pm

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"Code::Blocks is distributed under the GPL v3.0 license ...

The only exception is the SDK which is allowed to be linked by closed-source plugins."

I don't think you understand the GPL at all. No offense.  Please explain, using logic, how this is GPL safe.  The whole point of the GPL is precisely to limit you from doing this exact act. As the author of GNG is Not GNU I should know. I plan to add a section to the site which publicizes projects violating the GPL which I've found hundreds of without even looking hard.

Sounds to me like you were aiming for a L-GPL license, which even that is too restrictive to do many things and people often use a modified LGPL instead, which is more permissive.

I won't comment on the text that says "anyone can use it freely" which is pure falsehood.

Title: Re: Understanding the license, GPL
Post by: ollydbg on February 28, 2016, 02:32:03 pm

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Please explain, using logic, how this is GPL safe.  The whole point of the GPL is precisely to limit you from doing this exact act.

I'm not a lawyer, so this is from my personal point.
1, if you change the CB's source, and try to redistribute CB, then you should also supply the modified CB's source.
2, if you create a private plugin which only dynamically link the CB's sdk shared library, then you are not allowed to supply your plugin's source.

I'm not sure it violate C::B license.

Do you mean this(the above two cases) is exactly the same as LGPLv3?

Title: Re: Understanding the license, GPL
Post by: oBFusCATed on February 28, 2016, 05:51:20 pm

@GNG: What is the purpose of this topic? What are you trying to achieve?

Title: Re: Understanding the license, GPL
Post by: Jenna on February 28, 2016, 08:20:23 pm

Quote from: oBFusCATed on February 28, 2016, 05:51:20 pm

@GNG: What is the purpose of this topic? What are you trying to achieve?

That's not really important.
Fact is, the license text on our website (http://codeblocks.org/license) is incorrect.
And the sdk is not GPLv3 but LGPLv3 as far as I know.

Nevertheless, we should overwork (at least) this site.

Title: Re: Understanding the license, GPL
Post by: oBFusCATed on February 28, 2016, 11:23:11 pm

Quote from: jens on February 28, 2016, 08:20:23 pm

That's not really important.

It is important, because he is reporting some problem, but he doesn't clearly state what the problem is. We have to guess what it is.
Obviously you've read his mind and you've guessed the problem, but why should it be hard, when it could be easy and clear?

Title: Re: Understanding the license, GPL
Post by: MortenMacFly on February 29, 2016, 10:26:59 am

Changed that accordingly, see here:

http://codeblocks.org/license

For clarification: C::B is GPLv3, SDK is LGPLv3.