GNU General Public License Version 2 June 1991
What this document covers
The GNU General Public License Version 2, June 1991, is a legal document that ensures software freedom. This license allows users to share, modify, and distribute free software while protecting their rights. Unlike other software licenses that restrict usage, it promotes open-source principles, making it essential for developers and organizations that wish to contribute to and use free software ethically and legally.
Key components of this form
- Preamble explaining the purpose of the license.
- Terms and conditions for copying, distribution, and modification of the software.
- Clarification on the absence of warranty for programs distributed under this license.
- Requirements for crediting the original authors when redistributing software.
- Guidelines for handling patent rights to protect users and developers.
Common use cases
This license is ideal when you want to release your software as free and open-source, ensuring that others can use, modify, and share it without legal barriers. It is particularly beneficial for developers looking to encourage collaboration and improvement of their software while maintaining control over its usage and distribution.
Who this form is for
- Software developers creating free software applications.
- Organizations promoting open-source software initiatives.
- Individuals interested in sharing their software with the public while maintaining rights.
- Those who want to ensure that derivative works also remain open-source.
How to prepare this document
- Review the license terms thoroughly to understand your rights and responsibilities.
- Attach the license notice to your software at the beginning of the source code files.
- Specify the program name and a brief description of its functionality.
- Include a prominent disclaimer stating that there is no warranty for the program.
- Ensure that any modifications to the original program are clearly noted with documentation of changes.
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.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Failing to include the complete license text with redistributed software.
- Not clearly marking modifications to the original program.
- Misunderstanding the warranty disclaimer and implications for liability.
- Neglecting to inform users of their rights under the license.
Advantages of online completion
- Easy access to a standardized license format prepared by legal experts.
- Immediate download and use, saving time on legal paperwork.
- Flexible terms that promote collaboration and community contributions.
- Clear guidelines to follow for compliance with software sharing.
Legal use & context
- The GNU General Public License ensures that software remains free and open, protecting both users and developers.
- Incorporating this license promotes ethical sharing and use of software.
- Compliance with the terms is essential to maintain the rights granted by this license.
Key takeaways
- The GNU General Public License guarantees freedom for software users and developers.
- This form must be completed carefully to ensure compliance.
- It allows for modification and redistribution as long as terms are respected.
- Clarity on warranty and liability is crucial for all users.
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FAQ
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.
Generally yes, the output is not covered by the license. However you say you will redistribute the virtual machine with the pipeline setup.
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.
There is no field of use restriction in the GPLv2 - users are free to use if however they like, including for commercial purposes.
You can use this software for commercial purposes. 5. If you dare build your business solely from this code, you risk open-sourcing the whole code base.
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.
AGPL is a fairly new license that was meant to go GPL-over-networks.If we follow the comments it turns out that you can use AGPL libraries with your closed-source, commercial server-side software, as long as you don't modify the library.
Can you sell GPL software/code? Yes, the GPL license allows users to sell the original as well as the modified software.However, if someone buys your program for a fee, GPL gives him/her the liberty to release it to the public, with or without a fee.
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.