Everyone,


I was just curious how companies such as Transgaming (WineX and Cedega) can sell programs written for linux. If a program is written in the linux environment, then linux GPL code (such as C libraries) has to be included into the program. Therefore, since GPL code is used, then the program must therefore be licensed under the GPL. If I am correct, then how can Transgaming sell programs written under/for linux?


-GSD

They can, because it is part of the GPL license itself.

yep, sounds crazy, but they can sell it perfectly legaly under the GPL, if it is GPL'd (which it is). It's in the lisence, if you don't believe me you can read it. GPL means free as in freedom, not price. So, you have the freedom to do whatever you want with the code, sell it, change it, plaster your own grafics into it, whatever, as long as you release it under the gpl (ie, you can sell it, but you can't stop other people selling it for cheaper or modifying the code)

if you are bitter about paying for cedega, programmers have to eat too! you are basically paying for the download. It's free and perfectly legal to download the source code elsewhere (correct me if I'm wrong but it is one of the developers involved) - if you feel you need the 15$ more than your favourite project (which needs cash to keep going btw)... its up to you.

Sounds shocking, but it is perfectly legal to sell GPL licsenced code (look at RedHat, Suse, Computer shops...) - as long as it stays GPL.

hope this clears the air for you there.

titanium_geek

In the specific case of Cedega, they are not using GPL'd code. They forked off of Wine back when it was under another license which didn't require the same level of source code-sharing as the current Wine does. I think it was a BSD license but I don't remember.

But yeah, the previous post was correct, it's perfectly ok to sell GPL'd code. The reason most people don't sell it is that the GPL requires them to provide the source code. If you can compile it yourself, why would you pay? (to obtain an already compiled binary, I guess)

For example and under the GPL, I could take the latest kernel source and package, place it on a cd and sell it for a small fee anywhere or how I want.

Go read the GPL and other related books and you too can learn more about it. The word "free" everyone refers to does not mean you have to give it away for free.

Hey,


Thanks for the feed-back. I am not interested in the Cedega project persay, nor would I have cwalms about supporting the developers. Specifically, I was interested in linux vs bsd from a developers stand point. To my understanding, the BSD license would not require me to release my source code where-as the GPL would. This is not meant to start some big debate between the licenses (as there are plenty around). However, it is nice to know that I could develop programs under linux and still "sell" it and make a profit, albeit with a few stipulations. Thanks everyone for clearing up a few gray areas for me!


-GSD

Stuff on the free licenses - not just the GPL. This thread is now in General, with the other license questions.

GPL is free as in you are free to sell it and the person who buys it from you is free to give away unlimited copies.

GPL is restrictive in that you cannot link your program to it unless your program is also GPL. The GPL sucks like that but thankfully most libraries you would want to link to are either under the LGPL license or available under a dual license model where you can license the libraries for a modest fee.