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by alexbaker 2180 days ago
I would love to work on an iOS app, but I'm not sure if I'm able to (legally)? Perhaps someone could weigh in as I really don't know what I'm talking about...

This app is based on the source code from Astrid Tasks, which was licensed under the GPLv3. I'm under the impression that one cannot distribute GPL apps in the App Store, and I assume I would be legally required to license an iOS rewrite as GPLv3 since I'm intimately familiar with the original Android implementation.
3 comments
cxr 2180 days ago
> I'm under the impression that one cannot distribute GPL apps in the App Store

That meme is rooted in an analysis and statement that the FSF made about the App Store agreement several years ago. Those terms have changed many, many times since then, but the FSF has never revisited the question of compatibility. The best thing to do would be to either read the terms to make a decision for yourself if you're confident that you can grok them, or to seek advice from a lawyer if not. But don't assume there's anything solid that can be concluded from dead memes.

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e12e 2179 days ago
IANAL but I think one issue is that the end user can readily run or distribute a modified version - you need a) Mac hardware to comply with the toolchain/compiler, and maybe b) a developer account with Apple even to run a dev build on your ios device? Not sure about the last part, though - maybe an actual ios dev can elaborate?
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tasn 2179 days ago
IANAL but I asked FSF (Europe) about it and they said GPLv3 in the app store is fine.
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alexbaker 2179 days ago
Hey Tom!

Cool, maybe I'll have to buy an iPhone

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