Re: [OS:N:] GPL Question

[Chris Spencer <cspencer cait org>]

> I have a question about the GPL that I am hoping that someone can give me a
> clear answer on. Let's say that I create a piece of software and release it
> under the GPL. Does this automatically bound me from releasing ALL future
> versions under it or can I change to a different license should the GPL not
> work out for me?

Great question.

The software that you release under the GPL will forever remain GPL and
that source will be forever available.  

You can make changes and updates to your software and then release that
under another license if you choose at some point in the future.

My point is that you can not call back in previously released software
and slap a new license on it and say the GPL isn't valid anymore.  

I guess you can release the same code under multiple licenses.  MySQL is
a prime example of an open source company that does this and it is a
roaring success for them.


Now another question you should be asking is can other people take your
software and release it with changes as something other than GPL?  

The answer to this is no.  You shared the code under a GPL license. 
They can change it and re-release it, they can even charge support or
packaging for a newly released version, but they can not take it and
make it a new license.

I hope that is clear enough.  If not let me know and I will further
answer the questions.  

You could also look at:
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html

They have a test there to help you test your knowledge.  

-Chris

----
"As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both
instances, there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly
unchanged. And it is in such twilight that we all must be most aware of
change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of
the darkness." - Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas