Open source License and some questions!

Hi,

First of all sorry for my bad english... But i need your help :p

I have some questions about the open source license...

1) If i release a software under the GPL v3 License can i sell the software (binaries + source code) ? The GPL says "yes" but from trolltech's website:

"The Qt Commercial License is the correct license to use for the development of proprietary and/or commercial software with Qt."

Does "commercial" mean sell software?


2) If the answer to the first question is yes, then is it possible to give the source code only to people who bought the software or must it be freely available on a web site for everyone?

thanks!

Basically you can sell it but you have to release the sources with it. Or sell support for it. Qt's propertiary license means that you sell it but without releasing the source and making a profit off it being closed source. Look at Mandriva. They allow selling of it but you have to pay for the support same with Red Hat.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I'm probably am on something :o

Thanks for your answer...

This is very important, does anyone know something about the second question?
"When you sell gpl software, you have to give the src code only to who bought it or anyone who requests it?"

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GioFX

This is very important, does anyone know something about the second question?
"When you sell gpl software, you have to give the src code only to who bought it or anyone who requests it?"

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To be really sure about this you should ask a lawyer. Preferably one who is familiar with open source licenses, as this is definitively not the common case... :/

Regarding your case, I expect that you would have to give the source code to whomever asks for it. You can do whatever you want with GPL code, but once you publish it (even if only to a single customer), you have to make all of it publically available.

To be sure you should ask the people who wrote GPL. Most lawyers have problem interpreting GPL. The fact is that if you give the source code to anyone, you can't stop him from spreading it further. Another fact is that you can make money from GPL licenced applications. And then there comes the fact that Qt is licenced under GPL, so you can make money from it, regardless of what Nokia's lawyers say.

thanks for the answers...

The GPL says that the distrubution of the software doesn't mean only on the internet. So If i sell a GPL covered software (for example in a non online store), i have to give the source code with the binaries.

I think only who has the binaries has the right to get the sources.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GioFX

I think only who has the binaries has the right to get the sources.

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This is one of the interpretations. But out of dispute is the fact that the one who gets the sources, can redistribute them further and even charge money for it (but only an amount equivalent to the cost of distributing them - creating the medium and sending it to the receiving person).

I just remembered this guide to GPL compliance, maybe it can help to clarify some issues. It doesn't cover exactly your situation, but section 4 should give you an idea what is required by the GPL for distributing binaries and source.