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.