GNU General Public License
What this document covers
The GNU General Public License (GPL) is an open-source license that allows software developers to freely share, modify, and distribute their software. Its main purpose is to ensure that software remains free for all users while preventing restrictions on these freedoms. Unlike proprietary software licenses, the GPL maintains specific rights for users, empowering them to collaborate and innovate without limitations.
Form components explained
- Preamble: Outlines the intent of the GPL to guarantee freedom to use, share, and modify software.
- Terms for copying: Specifies the conditions under which the software and its source code can be copied and shared.
- Modification rights: Details requirements for modifying the software and distributing those modifications.
- No warranty clause: Clarifies that the software is provided "as is" without any guarantees.
- License acceptance: Explains that usage of the software implies acceptance of the license terms.
- Geographical limitations: Indicates any potential limitations on distribution based on local laws.
Common use cases
This form should be used when you want to share software youâve developed or modified while ensuring that it remains free and open for others. It is applicable when collaborating on software projects where users want the ability to make changes and share improvements without facing legal restrictions. If you are contributing to a project or developing software in academic, commercial, or personal contexts, the GPL ensures your rights and obligations are clear.
Who this form is for
This license is suitable for:
- Software developers seeking to create free and open-source software.
- Organizations or teams that collaborate on software projects aiming for communal improvement.
- Individuals who wish to modify existing software and redistribute their versions legally.
- Anyone who values the principles of freedom and open-source collaboration in software development.
Instructions for completing this form
- Identify the software program that will be licensed under the GPL.
- Include a copyright notice in the source code that refers to the GPL.
- Attach the full text of the GNU General Public License with the software package.
- Ensure any modifications made to the original software are clearly noted and dated.
- Provide the source code to any recipient along with the license.
Does this form need to be notarized?
This form does not typically require notarization to be legally valid. However, some jurisdictions or document types may still require it. US Legal Forms provides secure online notarization powered by Notarize, available 24/7 for added convenience.
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Make edits, fill in missing information, and update formatting in US Legal Forms—just like you would in MS Word.
Download a copy, print it, send it by email, or mail it via USPS—whatever works best for your next step.
Sign and collect signatures with our SignNow integration. Send to multiple recipients, set reminders, and more. Go Premium to unlock E-Sign.
If this form requires notarization, complete it online through a secure video call—no need to meet a notary in person or wait for an appointment.
We protect your documents and personal data by following strict security and privacy standards.
Typical mistakes to avoid
- Failing to include the full text of the license with distributed software.
- Not providing source code when required by the license terms.
- Modifying the GPL text, which can invalidate the license.
- Not indicating changes made to the original software in modifications.
Benefits of using this form online
- Immediate access to a legal document that outlines rights and responsibilities.
- Ability to customize the license application to specific projects while maintaining critical elements.
- Access to clear guidance on compliance and best practices in software distribution.
- Facilitates collaboration by clearly communicating user rights and obligations.
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FAQ
There are two main terms to the license. Both apply to giving the program away or selling it. A copy of the source code or written instructions about how to get a copy must be included with the software. If the software is able to be downloaded from the internet, the source code must also be available for downloading.
Get a copyright disclaimer from your employer or school. Give each file the proper copyright notices. Add a COPYING file with a copy of the GNU GPL or GNU AGPL. Also add a COPYING. Put a license notice in each file. (Optionally) make the program display a startup notice.
Software under the GPL may be run for all purposes, including commercial purposes and even as a tool for creating proprietary software, such as when using GPL-licensed compilers. Users or companies who distribute GPL-licensed works (e.g. software), may charge a fee for copies or give them free of charge.
You are free to run a GPL-licensed program without having to accept the license. If the GPL'ed program is client-side JavaScript, then you are distributing the GPL'ed code and possibly derivative code to your visitors. You are only allowed to do this in accordance with the GPL.
Get a copyright disclaimer from your employer or school. Give each file the proper copyright notices. Add a COPYING file with a copy of the GNU GPL or GNU AGPL. Also add a COPYING. Put a license notice in each file. (Optionally) make the program display a startup notice.
The GNU General Public License, often shortened to GNU GPL (or simply GPL), lists terms and conditions for copying, modifying and distributing free software. The GPL was created by Richard Stallman in order to protect GNU software from being made proprietary. It is a specific implementation of his "copyleft" concept.
No, you cannot. By including GPL-code, you are including a dependency of GPL-protected code, and therefore your code is only derived work from it. The terms of GPL requires that derived work is also published under GPL.
The GNU General Public License is a free, copyleft license for software and other kinds of works. The licenses for most software and other practical works are designed to take away your freedom to share and change the works.
Software under the GPL may be run for all purposes, including commercial purposes and even as a tool for creating proprietary software, such as when using GPL-licensed compilers. Users or companies who distribute GPL-licensed works (e.g. software), may charge a fee for copies or give them free of charge.
