does GPL really requires you to handle your code with modifications or just the original code? What if you decide to use a part of GPL code in a not open source project? if it's all about freedom, aren't you free to decide to hide your work and just redistribute the gpl part?
Ok, good point. My sentence was too simplified.
GPL code cannot be part of a closed source program code because it
touches or
taints all the code which is then considered a work derived from GPL.
LGPL with linking exception is more free in that sense. You can include it in a closed source project.
The quote by Handoko is good. As you see GPL is very idealistic. It is about "
free" as in "
free speech". I kind of like it. I think there is a small RMS living inside me.
Once you are ready to publish your sources under GPL, it really gives many freedoms.
You can make business with it, as many companies do. "
Free" does not mean "
gratis" here. See:
https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/selling.htmlYou can "steal" code from other GPL projects with no shame. There is plenty of good quality code out there.
You don't need to worry about copy protection of your binaries which is getting more and more complex. The business model must be based on something else.
Freedom achieved!