General Public License Definition
The General Public License (GPL) is a widely used free software license that guarantees end users the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software. It was originally written by Richard Stallman of the Free Software Foundation (FSF) for the GNU Project. The GPL grants the recipients of a computer program the rights of the Free Software Definition and uses copyleft to ensure the freedoms are preserved, even when the work is changed or added to.
General Public License Key Points
- The GPL is a free software license that allows users to use, study, share, and modify the software.
- It was originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project.
- The GPL uses copyleft to ensure that the freedoms granted by the license are preserved in derivative works.
- The GPL is designed to prevent the software from becoming proprietary, and it requires that the source code be made available.
What is the General Public License?
The General Public License (GPL) is a free software license that was created with the intention of guaranteeing your freedom to share and change all versions of a program and to make sure it remains free software for all its users. The GPL is the most widely used free software license, which means that it applies to many software projects, including some that you likely use every day.
Why is the General Public License important?
The GPL is important because it protects the freedoms of both developers and users. It allows developers to share their work and benefit from the contributions of others, while also ensuring that their work will not be used to create proprietary software. For users, the GPL ensures that they can use, study, and modify the software freely.
When is the General Public License used?
The GPL is used whenever a developer wants to release their software under a free software license. This can be when the software is first released, or it can be applied to an existing project that the developer wants to make freely available.
Who uses the General Public License?
The GPL is used by developers who want to ensure that their software remains free and open source. It is also used by organizations and individuals who want to use, study, and modify software without restrictions.
How does the General Public License work?
The GPL works by granting a set of rights to the user, and then using copyleft to ensure that those rights are preserved in all derivative works. When a developer releases software under the GPL, they grant the user the right to run, study, share, and modify the software. Then, if the user distributes the software or a derivative work, they must also distribute it under the GPL, ensuring that the freedoms are preserved.
