Hello!

I have a question about the GPL license and its application to binary distributions. Assume the following scenario:

A person downloads source code under GPL license. Without any kind of modification, the binary is compiled and shared by anonymous FTP access on a LAN. The source of program is not kept in the anonymous access. Now that person informs people on LAN by using the local newsgroup about the shared binary.

Is this a violation of GPL in the case that
1)An offer to share binary was included in the posting on newsgroup.
2)No mention about source code was there in posting.

Can someone claim violation of GPL in this scenario?

Thanx in advance,
pymehta.

3. You may copy and distribute the Program (or a work based on it,
under Section 2) in object code or executable form under the terms of
Sections 1 and 2 above provided that you also do one of the following:

a) Accompany it with the complete corresponding machine-readable
source code, which must be distributed under the terms of Sections
1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,

b) Accompany it with a written offer, valid for at least three
years, to give any third party, for a charge no more than your
cost of physically performing source distribution, a complete
machine-readable copy of the corresponding source code, to be
distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium
customarily used for software interchange; or,

c) Accompany it with the information you received as to the offer
to distribute corresponding source code. (This alternative is
allowed only for noncommercial distribution and only if you
received the program in object code or executable form with such
an offer, in accord with Subsection b above.)

Thanx for reply.

I have read the GNU license, but it does not specify details like

1) Can one call a shared binary without any claim of ownership a "distribution"
2) Can one copy the binary (without claiming any credit or charge) If source is not shared with that.
3) If there is no mention of source code in the distribution, but the Identity of the person distributing it is known, can one claim violation of GPL without asking that person for the source code?

pymehta.

1) Not sure what you mean.
2) If it's a binary compiled from GPL source it can be copied, provided the license is included and the source is either included or a message stating that the source can be provided is included.
3) I believe you are required to include the GPL license, which mentions source code. In addition you need to provide either the source or an offer to supply the source....so I believe the answer to this is yes, they are in violation of the GPL

Also, copyright notices come into play. If a developer includes a copyright notice which specifies that the notice must be unmodified and passed on, you are required to do so.

Thanks for guidance.

pymehta