What does GPL mean?

If you’ve ever downloaded software for linux there’s a good chance you’ve seen the acronym GPL. Certainly, if you’ve had to install something by compiling the source code you’ve seen GPL written in something. GPL stands for General Public License and is distributed by the Free Software Foundation. The first thing they’d want you to understand is that they don’t mean the term free like in “free beer” where you get to take what belongs to someone else, more like free as in “free speech” where you are unrestricted in what you’re allowed to do.

The GPL is a text file that is included with many pieces of software that the author wanted to share freely. It’s a license, not a contract as GrokLaw would immediately tell you. That means that it only gives permission to the recipient, it doesn’t also require something of them. For more details on the GPL and to understand the specifics of it, check out Novell’s article on the subject. They’ve recently pounced into the open-source world and seem to have a lot to say.

If nothing else, remember that the GPL is your friend and is designed to give you rights that you wouldn’t otherwise have.
Note: this article was written with, compiled by, and web-served by GPL software