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Thread: Commercial license vs LGPL license

  1. #1
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    Default Commercial license vs LGPL license

    I apologize for creating another thread about this but after doing some reading, I'm still confused about the different licenses.

    I plan to build a commercial app using Qt. After reading this thread it looks like I can write an app using the LGPL version of Qt and charge money for it, and I DO NOT need to distribute the source code to my app, as long as:

    1) I link the app dynamically
    2) I do not make any changes to the Qt source
    3) I include a copy of the LGPL license/a link to the Qt source along with my app

    So basically, the only benefits I see of having a commercial license are that I can link statically and that I can freely modify the Qt source to my heart's content without having to distribute anything else.

    Do I have it right?

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    Default Re: Commercial license vs LGPL license

    Quote Originally Posted by JovianGhost View Post
    1) I link the app dynamically
    2) I do not make any changes to the Qt source
    You can make changes, but you have to publish them. (!= the sources of your application)
    3) I include a copy of the LGPL license/a link to the Qt source along with my app

    So basically, the only benefits I see of having a commercial license are that I can link statically and that I can freely modify the Qt source to my heart's content without having to distribute anything else.
    With commercial there is also bundled a support from Nokia.

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    Default Re: Commercial license vs LGPL license

    Quote Originally Posted by Lykurg View Post
    You can make changes, but you have to publish them. (!= the sources of your application)
    And if I make no changes, there's nothing at all to publish.

    With commercial there is also bundled a support from Nokia.
    Of course, that's an added bonus.


    Other than that, do I have everything right?
    When deploying the app, do I have to include an actual copy of the LGPL license (i.e. this file) or is it enough to say that this application is licensed under LGPL, and the provide a link to http://qt.nokia.com/ ?

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    Default Re: Commercial license vs LGPL license

    Quote Originally Posted by JovianGhost View Post
    And if I make no changes, there's nothing at all to publish.
    Right.
    Other than that, do I have everything right?
    When deploying the app, do I have to include an actual copy of the LGPL license (i.e. this file) or is it enough to say that this application is licensed under LGPL, and the provide a link to http://qt.nokia.com/ ?
    I am not a lawyer, and beside: the LGPL is interpreted different in each country. I would ship a copy of the LGPL with my application. It has not to be in the root directory. The link to nokia is a must if you don't want to ship the sources of Qt itself with your application.

    If you want to be 100% sure, ask a real lawyer. Otherwise: Nullum ius sine actione! (which means in English something like: no complaint, no redress)

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Commercial license vs LGPL license

    Great, thanks for your help!

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