Gnu Public License and Role

GNU Public License and its Role

POS/355

October 22nd , 2012

GNU Public License and its Role

First and foremost GNU is an operating system similar to Unix and has many Linux based versions, many of which are entirely free. To get more specific, the GNU Project (www.gnu.org) describes free software as giving the end users four freedoms:

#1 – Ability to run the program

#2 – Ability to study the programming and change it using the source code form

#3 – The right to redistribute exact copies of the program

#4 – The ability to distribute modified versions of the program

Free software, in terms of the GNU public license, is not about price – it is used in terms that the user has the freedom to alter and distribute the software as a whole. There is still the freedom for an individual to charge whatever they feel their efforts in the development aspects are worth to someone else so long as what they are releasing is not just an improved version of someone else’s modified work.

From what I understand, anyone can release a program under the GNU public license. When they release it with this license, it is referred to as copyleft (Instead of copyright protected which intends to restrict modifications, etc… copyleft ensures the end users freedom to make changes). With GNU general public license, you should be protected against other contributors trying to sue for patent infringement, etc… GNU GPL helps to prevent software from being developed in such a way that makes it unable to be modified (At least they must supply whatever key is necessary to unlock the code to gain the access you desire). Basically, the GNU GPL does not take away what rights people have with regards to the software use and development; it stops them from restricting others.