[err..] Redistributing software - Printable Version
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[err..] Redistributing software by SmokingCookie on 10-20-2008 at 07:27 AM
Hi,
I've got a program, FFMpeg, which is licensed under the GNU GPL v3. I want to include it in a script, but I'd like to know whether it's legal to redistribute it, before having the cops at my door.
Does anyone know?
Thanks in advance.
PS. You don't have to tell me that I don't know anything about license stuff, I already know 
RE: [err..] Redistributing software by Felu on 10-20-2008 at 07:34 AM
You should be fine as long as you include the GPL license and give credits.
But hey, don't take my word for it. Read the license once.
Edit: Apparently, yes, you can. If I use a piece of software that has been obtained under the GNU GPL, am I allowed to modify the original code into a new program, then distribute and sell that new program commercially?.
RE: [err..] Redistributing software by SmokingCookie on 10-20-2008 at 07:38 AM
Well, the license is included, and credits are given in the "About" box..
Now comes the worst part
quote:
Originally posted by GNU GPL v3
If you develop a new program, and you want it to be of the greatest
possible use to the public, the best way to achieve this is to make it
free software which everyone can redistribute and change under these terms.
Maybe?
RE: [err..] Redistributing software by Thor on 10-20-2008 at 09:00 AM
quote:Simply said: your script has to be released under the GPLv3 unless you find an alternative to ffmpeg that is licenses under LGPL.
Originally posted by SmokingCookie
Well, the license is included, and credits are given in the "About" box..
Now comes the worst part
quote:
Originally posted by GNU GPL v3
If you develop a new program, and you want it to be of the greatest
possible use to the public, the best way to achieve this is to make it
free software which everyone can redistribute and change under these terms.
Maybe?
RE: [err..] Redistributing software by SmokingCookie on 10-20-2008 at 09:05 AM
But there is some software that is not licensed under the GPL v3, but does use FFMPEG.. Are these illegal?
RE: [err..] Redistributing software by Thor on 10-20-2008 at 09:20 AM
quote:That depends on whether or not there are various versions of FFMPEG that have different licensing.
Originally posted by SmokingCookie
But there is some software that is not licensed under the GPL v3, but does use FFMPEG.. Are these illegal?
EDIT: You've got it wrong, FFMPEG is released under the LGPL.
Yeah, you can include it without making your code GPL'd.
RE: [err..] Redistributing software by SmokingCookie on 10-20-2008 at 09:23 AM
I kinda 'copy-pasted' FFMPEG from one of those programs.
quote:
Originally posted by FFMPEG
FFmpeg is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
(at your option) any later version.
So, I started searching for GNU GPL v3, but I don't see any clear permission to redistribute software licensed under it.
So, I can just release my script including FFMPEG?
RE: [err..] Redistributing software by Thor on 10-20-2008 at 09:32 AM
quote:
Originally posted by SmokingCookie
I kinda 'copy-pasted' FFMPEG from one of those programs.
quote:
Originally posted by FFMPEG
FFmpeg is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
(at your option) any later version.
So, I started searching for GNU GPL v3, but I don't see any clear permission to redistribute software licensed under it.
quote:
Originally posted by FFMPEG license & legal page
FFmpeg is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) version 2.1 or later. However, FFmpeg incorporates several optional modules that are covered by the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2 or later, notably libpostproc and libswscale. If those parts get used the GPL applies to all of FFmpeg. Read the license texts to learn how this affects programs built on top of FFmpeg or reusing FFmpeg. You may also wish to have a look at the GPL FAQ.
RE: [err..] Redistributing software by SmokingCookie on 10-20-2008 at 09:50 AM
quote:
Originally posted by GPL FAQ
The GPL is a free software license, and therefore it permits people to use and even redistribute the software without being required to pay anyone a fee for doing so.
RE: [err..] Redistributing software by Thor on 10-20-2008 at 10:20 AM
quote:Your point being?
Originally posted by SmokingCookie
quote:
Originally posted by GPL FAQ
The GPL is a free software license, and therefore it permits people to use and even redistribute the software without being required to pay anyone a fee for doing so.
I think we've already established what the GPL is, haven't we?
RE: [err..] Redistributing software by SmokingCookie on 10-20-2008 at 12:15 PM
Hehe
I think it means I can just release my script without having to pay the FMPEG guys and, above all, not having the cops at the door.
Correct me if I'm wrong, though
RE: [err..] Redistributing software by Thor on 10-20-2008 at 02:01 PM
quote:That's not wrong, however, what you need to know is the difference between the LGPL and the GPL.
Originally posted by SmokingCookie
Hehe
I think it means I can just release my script without having to pay the FMPEG guys and, above all, not having the cops at the door.
Correct me if I'm wrong, though
With the LGPL you can include the binaries of LGPL'd software in your application even if it is proprietery (which your script most likely is) but with GPL you can't.
That means that since FFMPEG is LGPL you can include it as long as you don't make any source changes (which you in that case must publish for others to see legally).
RE: [err..] Redistributing software by SmokingCookie on 10-21-2008 at 09:07 AM
Then it comes in handy that I only understand JScript, so I can not make any source changes (without f*ckin'up my PC )