GPL
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| GPL | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | GNU General Public License |
| Abbreviation | GPL |
| Author | Richard Stallman, Free Software Foundation |
| Initial release | 1989 |
| Latest release | FSF (see Versions) |
| License family | Copyleft |
| Source model | Open source |
| Notable software | Linux kernel, GNU Compiler Collection, WordPress, VLC media player, MySQL |
GPL is a widely used free software license that enforces copyleft terms to ensure source code remains free when distributed. It was drafted to protect user freedoms by requiring that modified versions remain under the same license, influencing projects, companies, and legal systems worldwide. Its provisions have shaped interactions among projects such as Linux kernel, GNU Project, Debian, and commercial entities like Red Hat, Google, IBM.
History
The license originated in the context of the GNU Project and the activities of Richard Stallman and the Free Software Foundation in the 1980s, responding to disputes such as those involving early Unix vendors and the distribution practices of AT&T. Early milestones include the 1989 initial text and the 1991 reissue concurrent with developments in GNU Emacs and GNU Compiler Collection. Key historical interactions occurred with distributions like Debian and commercial adopters such as Red Hat and SUSE, and with events like the rise of the Linux kernel in the 1990s and the dot-com boom that spurred corporate engagement. The license’s evolution has been shaped by dialogues with organizations including Open Source Initiative, Free Software Foundation Europe, and governmental policy bodies across jurisdictions such as European Commission and United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit forums.
Versions
Versions reflect both legal and technical adaptation. Version 1 (1989) complemented projects like GCC and early GNU Emacs; Version 2 (1991) became prominent with the growth of the Linux kernel and distributions like Slackware and Red Hat Linux; Version 3 (2007) incorporated responses to contemporary issues including patent assertions and hardware restrictions, prompted by interactions involving actors such as Microsoft and Apple Inc.. The versioning process involved consultation with entities like Open Source Initiative and influential contributors including Eben Moglen and members of the Free Software Foundation legal team. Variants and related licenses include the LGPL and compatibilities addressed in later drafting rounds with attention to patent clauses and compatibility with other licenses used by projects like Apache HTTP Server and Mozilla Firefox.
Licensing Terms
Core terms require that recipients of distributed binaries receive source code or an offer for source, obligate distribution under identical terms, and prohibit additional restrictions that would negate recipient freedoms. The license contains warranty disclaimers and patent grants intended to mitigate assertions from companies such as Microsoft or Oracle Corporation. It defines obligations for distributors, modifiers, and licensors, affecting projects like MySQL and WordPress. The terms have been interpreted in contexts involving entities like Debian Project and corporate contributors including IBM, with coordination from legal advisors such as Eben Moglen and institutions like Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Compatibility and Derivatives
Compatibility concerns arise when combining code under different licenses, leading to practical constraints when integrating with projects like Apache HTTP Server, BSD licenses projects, or proprietary stacks from corporations such as Apple Inc. and Microsoft. Derivative works must remain under the same license if they are distributed, affecting large ecosystems exemplified by Linux kernel, GNU Toolchain, and projects hosted on platforms like GitHub and GitLab. Re-licensing, dual-licensing, and exceptions have been used by organizations like MySQL AB, SUSE, and Canonical to enable broader use while preserving copyleft, often involving legal advisory from firms associated with Free Software Foundation Europe.
Legal Cases and Enforcement
Enforcement efforts have been pursued by individual maintainers, organizations like Free Software Foundation, and companies such as SCO Group in high-profile disputes. Notable litigation and settlements involved parties like SCO Group versus users of the Linux kernel and interactions with corporations including IBM and Novell. Courts and jurisdictions implicated include tribunals in United States and European courts where interpretations of source distribution and derivative scope were examined. Compliance actions and precedents have been influenced by organizations such as Software Freedom Conservancy and by enforcement cases that clarified obligations for distributors and service providers, affecting projects like BusyBox and enforcement practices adopted by entities including Open Invention Network.
Adoption and Impact
Adoption spans individual projects, foundations, and corporations: prominent adopters include Linux kernel, GNU Project, Debian, Red Hat, SUSE, Canonical, and services from Google and Amazon Web Services that interact with GPLed code. The license shaped ecosystems around open source hosting platforms such as GitHub and SourceForge and influenced standards bodies and procurement policies in institutions like the European Commission. Its impact extends into commercial models (dual-licensing by MySQL AB, enterprise support by Red Hat), academic reuse in labs associated with MIT and Stanford University, and policy debates involving advocates like Stallman and organizations such as Free Software Foundation Europe and Open Source Initiative.