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Open Source has changed the way software gets created in the world over the last few decades. No longer is creating great software that millions will use only the privilege of the few lucky programmers working at Microsoft, Infosys or IBM! If you have internet access and can write code in a simple editor … you can influence the world with your software. This ppt is about the GNU General Public License (GPL) – one of the world’s most popular and adopted license for open source projects. This ppt shares the freedom associated with the GPL license.
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GPL – GNU General Public License
WordCamp Mumbai, Mar 2014Karthikraj Magapu
GPL – Origins and History
Father of GPL Richard Stallman
@KarthikMagapu hbwsl.com@wpekadotcom www.wpeka.com
What is GPL?It’s a Software License!
Not CopyRight, but CopyLeft!@KarthikMagapu www.hbwsl.com @wpekadotcom www.wpeka.com
GPL – History and Origin …
Xerox Laser Printer@KarthikMagapu www.hbwsl.com @wpekadotcom www.wpeka.com
GPL – History and Origin …
Gosling EMACS@KarthikMagapu www.hbwsl.com @wpekadotcom www.wpeka.com
Adoption of GPL
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GPL gives you 4 key Freedoms …
Freedom 1Freedom to RUN the program
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GPL gives you 4 key Freedoms …Freedom 2
Freedom to STUDY and CHANGE the program
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GPL gives you 4 key Freedoms …
Freedom 3Freedom to SHARE the original program
@KarthikMagapu www.hbwsl.com @wpekadotcom www.wpeka.com
GPL gives you 4 key Freedoms …
Freedom 4Freedom to SHARE the MODIFIED program
@KarthikMagapu www.hbwsl.com @wpekadotcom www.wpeka.com
What does GPL give you?4 Key Freedoms
Freedom to RUN the program
Freedom to STUDY & CHANGE the program
Freedom to SHARE the original program
Freedom to SHARE the MODIFIED program@KarthikMagapu www.hbwsl.com @wpekadotcom www.wpeka.com
How does GPL foster innovation?
• Ensures that work of great programmers builds up over time - geometrically
• Facilitates small or large contributions• GPL allows people to get credit, while
ensuring that future programmers need not reinvent the wheel
• GPL can create a sense of community, bonding and greater sense than the individual
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What about Security Concerns?• Hundreds of Testers and Fixers …• Beta versions of GPL software typically tested
by 1000s of volunteers• Incentive and Passion to fix bugs is high in the
open source community• Some bad things do happen, keep a backup
plan in place!
@KarthikMagapu www.hbwsl.com @wpekadotcom www.wpeka.com
GPL and WP Theme and WP Plugin developers?
• WordPress is GPL• Are all Plugins and Themes GPL?• Varied Opinion, and Open to discussion• Split Licensing an option – Theme code, and Theme
HTML,CSS• My Opinion – All WordPress Plugins and Themes need to
be GPL – Plugin and Theme is ‘inserted’ into a WordPress core to modify
its behavior– Plugins or Themes does not have an existence outside
WordPress the core program
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GPL and the content you create – how does GPL affect bloggers?
• GPL does NOT affect any non Code assets– Text, Images, Videos, Audio
• All content created using GPL software is owned by the creator. They have copyright over it!– The author may choose to release it to the public
domain or protect it with their life!
@KarthikMagapu www.hbwsl.com @wpekadotcom www.wpeka.com
Common Myths about GPL• If I use GPL, my new software has to be GPL• I cannot Sell GPL software• GPL software has to be free• You cannot use GPL software in your commercial website
or product• GPL license is very complex• GPL is a copyright• You cannot charge for modifying GPL software for a client• GPL cannot be upheld in a court of law
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References
Some Useful Keywords to Google • GPL history …• GPL WordPress Debate …• GPL Violations …• GPL adoption …
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About MeKarthikraj Magapu ([email protected])
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HOWSOCIABLE.COMAVACTIS.COM
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CO Founderhbwsl.com
Questions?
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