gnu legal questions!

trey85stang · 11-13-2003, 01:21 PM

Just curious.. on some of the legal things about GNU software... maybe someone can help

If I run a linux distribution that is opensource.. (in a business environment) and develop software on that system for compan use. Does the source code legal have to be published?? would that software fall under the rules of the GNU??

I hope that makes sense.. if not ill explain further...

thanks:trey

trickykid · 11-13-2003, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by trey85stang
Just curious.. on some of the legal things about GNU software... maybe someone can help

If I run a linux distribution that is opensource.. (in a business environment) and develop software on that system for compan use. Does the source code legal have to be published?? would that software fall under the rules of the GNU??

I hope that makes sense.. if not ill explain further...

thanks:trey

You really only have to distribute the source or the modified source if your redistributing it out to the public. If you keep it in house, then you don't have to tell a soul about it.

trey85stang · 11-13-2003, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by trickykid
then you don't have to tell a soul about it.

I know not telling a soul about it.. no one would ever know the diffrence

but is it illegal to not make it public??

this is just a therotical question.. im cuious on the "legal" answer.

thanks:trey

trickykid · 11-13-2003, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by trey85stang
I know not telling a soul about it.. no one would ever know the diffrence but is it illegal to not make it public??

this is just a therotical question.. im cuious on the "legal" answer.

thanks:trey

Thats also what is meant by my first response, you don't have to make it public.

Take a distro + Modifying it to your needs + Don't share it outside company or others = You don't have to share the source

Take a distro + Modifying source + Sharing it out to the public = You have to release your changes to the source code

trey85stang · 11-13-2003, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by trickykid
Thats also what is meant by my first response, you don't have to make it public.

Take a distro + Modifying it to your needs + Don't share it outside company or others = You don't have to share the source

Take a distro + Modifying source + Sharing it out to the public = You have to release your changes to the source code

sweet... thanks that made perfect sense!