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by TheChaplain 809 days ago
GPL forces you to always supply the source code but only if you distribute the application.

E.g. if you fork Nano and sell or make binaries available for download for free, people have the right to ask you for the source code.

If you don't distribute it in any form, then you don't need to.[1]

With MIT you can fork, distribute and people can't demand anything.

[1]: Contrary to popular misinformation, modified GPL software can be used by businesses as long as it is not distributed.
2 comments
mlichvar 809 days ago
Another way to look at it is that MIT gives freedom to the developers and GPL gives freedom to the users. It's a conflict between the two groups.
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worthless-trash 809 days ago
> people have the right to ask you for the source code.

People you distributed binaries to have a right to the source code via the same method that the binaries are provided in. Or at least that was my understanding.

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immibis 809 days ago
If it's a non-commercial affair, you can give them a "written offer valid for at least 3 years" and then you don't have to actually supply it unless someone asks.

In practice, this isn't a very good option to take. Much better to provide it on a "network server" as they were called at the time the license was written.

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worthless-trash 808 days ago
This sounds like a very sane option to take, id like it to be codified in a license. Eternal availability sounds like a real hassle to maintain.
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immibis 807 days ago
It is codified...
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worthless-trash 802 days ago
You're right! thanks for the education.

"b) Convey the object code in, or embodied in, a physical product (including a physical distribution medium), accompanied by a written offer, valid for at least three years and valid for as long as you offer spare parts or customer support for that product model, to give anyone who possesses the object code either (1) a copy of the Corresponding Source for all the software in the product that is covered by this License, on a durable physical medium customarily used for software interchange, for a price no more than your reasonable cost of physically performing this conveying of source, or (2) access to copy the Corresponding Source from a network server at no charge."

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