Dual BSD/GPL

[hallsofvallhalla]

With this license do I have to release source if I am not distributing the game? As in if I only host it online for players must I give source? Can I build the source that I want hidden in separate files and have the regular source make calls to it? Does that count as something different? I have no issue releasing source of a open source product but there are a few additions I do not want to release.

[a_bertrand]

GPL license it's a bit like a virus, if your soft uses GPL code your code must be under GPL as well. However as you don't distribute your soft, and instead run it as service (right?) then maybe you are not forced to distribute the source either...

[hallsofvallhalla]

yeah that is what I am wondering but does running it as a service count as distribution?

[Jackolantern]

No, you don't have to give your source. A dual BSD/GPL license lets you choose the license you would like to use. In your case you would use the software under a BSD license, which is as permissive as MIT, and really only protects the author from lawsuits. The main purpose of dual-licensing is so that anyone who derives software from the dual-licensed software can choose which branch they want to take their derivative down, or they can choose to remain dual-licensed. Dual-licensing solves the issue that derived software cannot introduce its own terms that were not in the parent software's license.

Plus, GPL V1 - 3 does not require that server source be given anyway. This is called the "ASP loophole", and it was actually plugged with Affero GPL, or AGPL. Affero GPL is the license that some large MMORPGs, such as Ryzom, were released under, which is what makes them particularly unsuitable for derivation for public-facing usage.

For more info on licenses, check out my Introduction to Licenses

[hallsofvallhalla]

awesome thanks everyone.