GPL vs LGPL Licensing

Discussions center on whether a software project or library is licensed under GPL or LGPL, highlighting confusion, implications for usability, compatibility, and preferences for more permissive licenses like LGPL over the stricter GPL.

➡️ Stable 0.6x Open Source
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MUST BSD GPL UI GDB CDDL faq.html www.gnu VLC tldrlegal.com gpl lgpl licensed license ins plug mit bsd code incompatible

Sample Comments

Underphil • Jan 9, 2023 • View on HN

Weird take seeing as it's licensed under GPL.

glangdale • Dec 3, 2018 • View on HN

I think it's GPL, not LGPL, so it goes a little beyond that.

tempfile • May 7, 2025 • View on HN

It's the LGPL, not the GPL. Huge difference.

wtetzner • Mar 4, 2024 • View on HN

Given that it's under the GPL, I don't think they can do that.

kanwisher • May 17, 2021 • View on HN

Looks like its GPL not LGPL. Seems not usable for most people

alessioalex • Aug 7, 2014 • View on HN

Too bad it's GPL licensed instead of a more permissive one :(

Gys • Jun 12, 2018 • View on HN

Aha, did not realize it was GPL.

pmontra • Oct 4, 2017 • View on HN

LGPL is for libraries, not GPL.

nzmsv • Apr 26, 2017 • View on HN

Sadly, the license is GPL rather than the expected LGPL.

pnathan • May 6, 2014 • View on HN

The GPL does not preclude this in the least.