Re:Malwarebytes' privacy VPN is Mullvad in a shady trenchcoat
by eurasiantiger on Monday October 11, 2021 @02:20PM
(#28831232)
But this is not about distributing GPL code in a custom binary. Rather, a GPL binary library was linked against by a custom binary, and that GPL binary was distributed alongside the ”custom” binary. Do those license terms apply here?
Re:Malwarebytes' privacy VPN is Mullvad in a shady trenchcoat
by heavyset_go on Monday October 11, 2021 @03:16PM
(#28831894)
Yes, linking to a GPL library means you need to follow the terms of the GPL.
Re:Malwarebytes' privacy VPN is Mullvad in a shady trenchcoat
by eurasiantiger on Monday October 11, 2021 @03:59PM
(#28832356)
Pardon the confusion, this was about LGPL, not GPL—and the former does allow linking.
Re:Malwarebytes' privacy VPN is Mullvad in a shady trenchcoat
by heavyset_go on Monday October 11, 2021 @06:06PM
(#28833643)
There are terms you need to follow when you link to LGPL libraries, as well. You need to provide your compiled program in an object format such that users can link it against their own versions of the LGPL library you originally linked it against. The LGPLv3 also adds some anti-Tivoization clauses, too, that make those rights explicit.
Note that there are some changes here compared to v2 of the GPL.
IANAL but my understanding/interpretation (simplified) is you have to either:
6a) Ship the binaries in a physical product with a copy of the source code accompanying
6b) Ship the binaries in a physical product along with an offer to provide the source code on request
6c) "occasionally and noncommercially" ship the binaries (not necessarily in a physical product) along with an offer to provide the source code on request
6d) Make the binaries available from somewhere (e.g. a website) which also offers the source code (e.g. GitHub would count)
6e) Ship the binaries via a P2P mechanism if you include a link to where you host the source code
Again, IANAL but if you hosted a GPLv3 binary somewhere without source code, it would technically be a violation of the GPL.
However, since you are the copyright holder in this case, you can ship it however you want - it would just prevent anyone else from then distributing it under the GPL since they wouldn't be able to comply with section 6, since they don't have the source code.