The GPL license (General Public License), Also known as GNU GPL, is the most used free software license. It was created by Richard Stallman For him GNU project (Free Software Foundation).
Allows the software to be used, modified and freely redistributed by any person. WordPress also comes with the GPL license, Which means that WordPress is open source software that can be used, modified and expanded by anyone.
The GPL provides the fundamental basic values in which the project was created.
- Anyone can download and execute the software
- Anyone can modify/edit it
- Anyone can redistribute free software copies
- Anyone can distribute modified software versions.
Answers to questions about the GPL license
1. What is Copyleft?
Copyright is a law that restricts the right to use, modify and share creative works without the owner's permission.
When an author publishes a program under a copyleft license, makes a claim on the copyright of the work and issues a statement that other people have the right to use, modify and share the work whenever the obligation to reciprocate.
This means that any software written on the basis of any GPL should be published as an open source. If there is any software that uses any GPL open source component. That means that you should be required to publish your full source code and all rights to modify and distribute the entire code.
2. Can GPL products be sold?
Yeah, The GPL license allows both original and modified products to be sold. However, Free software is called free in terms of freedom of use, not in terms of price. As Richard Stallman explained, free software means free as in “Freedom of expression”, not in “free beer”.
3. Is the GPL safe?
Yeah. The GPL has nothing to do with the source code. It is just a license that governs its use and distribution.
4. Does the GPL license require the author to publish the modified source code?
Under the GPL license, requires that you release the modified source code only if you release the modified program. If you have modified the code of a program for personal use, So you don't need to publish it.
5. What is the difference between GPLV2 and GPLV3?
There has always been some confusion regarding the difference between GPLV2 and GPLV3. The FSF tried to add more clarity to the GPLV3 as to when the reciprocity obligation is activated. The FSF even wrote a new GPL license, la license, For the “ASP lagoon”.
Besides, The FSF decided to improve the compatibility of the GPLV3 with other licenses. To combine two codes in a larger work, Both applications must allow it. If these rights are granted by the licenses of both programs, They are compatible. When making the most compatible GPLV3, FSF increased development options.
The third difference between the two versions is that GPLV3 was written in an effort to increase use worldwide. The language used in the GPLV3 to describe the license rights was modified to ensure that international laws interpret it as the FSF intended, Unlike language used in GPLV2, that is considered very focused on the United States. GPLV3 also allows developers to add local responsibility exemptions, which also helps increase its use outside the US.
Terms and conditions of the GPL license?
- Does not allow to claim patents or copyright on the product. besides, It requires showing a copyright notice, Warranty resignation, intact GPL notices and a copy of the GPL.
- It is not allowed to change the license or add some additional terms and conditions.
- Is obliged to release the source code and all rights to modify and distribute the entire code.
WordPress templates and accessories are also GPL
The third difference between the two versions is that GPLV3 was written in an effort to increase use worldwide. The language used in the GPLV3 to describe the license rights was modified to ensure that international laws interpret it as the FSF intended, Unlike language used in GPLV2, that is considered very focused on the United States. GPLV3 also allows developers to add local responsibility exemptions, which also helps increase its use outside the US.
