What is GPL

"the" licence for Open Source

GNU General Public License Protects Software Freedom

Most commonly used licence for Open Source software

  • allows free (as in speeach and as in beer) access to source code
  • obligates users that changes must be returned to upstream author
  • code derived from GPL software is automatically covered by GPL licence
  • it has is so-called viral or infectious characteristic (spreads on new software parts if they are based upon GPL software)