Thank you for your response!
You answered all my questions, and I am satisfied with the answers. So, thanks again!
I hope your answers prompt others to contribute more questions if they still have concerns or are simply curious.
To further elaborate for Question 5 I used Brave Leo to see if the statement above is true. As, I am no legal expert:
Overview from Brave Leo about GPL-licensing:
When you distribute GPL-licensed software, you must provide the source code to anyone who receives the software, but you don’t necessarily need to make it publicly available unless someone requests it.
Here are the key points:
- Distribute Source Code on Request : If you distribute the binary form of the software, you must provide the source code to anyone who requests it. You can do this by:
- Providing a link to where the source code can be downloaded.
- Offering to send the source code via physical media (e.g., a CD or USB drive).
- Making the source code available for download on your website.
- No Public Repository Required : You are not required to host the source code in a public repository or make it available to the general public unless someone specifically requests it.
- Commercial Distribution : If you are selling the software, you must inform the recipients of their right to receive the source code and how they can obtain it.
- Compliance : Ensuring compliance with the GPL is important to avoid legal issues. If you fail to provide the source code upon request, you could be in violation of the license.
In summary, while you don’t need to make the source code publicly available, you must be prepared to provide it to anyone who receives the software upon request.
GPL Licensed Content Publishing
If you distribute GPL-licensed software, you must make the source code available to anyone who receives a copy of the software. This means that customers who purchase GPL-licensed software have the right to access and modify the underlying source code. If you modify the GPL-licensed software or combine it with your code, you must also make the modified source code available to users upon request.
The GPL requires that any work that contains or is derived from the GPL-licensed software must be licensed as a whole under the GPL terms and that the source code must be made available to all third parties at no charge.This ensures that users can run, study, share, or modify the software as per the Free Software Definition.
If you distribute a binary version of the software, you must also provide a way for recipients to obtain the corresponding source code. This can include providing a link to the source code or offering it directly. The source code must be in a form that is preferred for making modifications, which typically means the original human-readable source files.
In summary, distributing GPL-licensed software without making the source code available is a violation of the GPL terms.