Using GPL'ed Octave packages
"Schulthess, Felix via Help-octave" <[email protected]> Tue, 9 Sep 2025 10:43:12 +0000
| Newsgroups | gmane.comp.gnu.octave.general |
|---|---|
| Message-ID | <AM8P190MB0899CE2E0392073ECC8464398B0FA@AM8P190MB0899.EURP190.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM> |
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Hi,
I am aware of the FAQ on GPL in the Octave wiki [1]. Still I am unsure, on=
how to treat third-party Octave packages.
Since an Octave package is a derivative work of Octave, it must be made ava=
ilable under the GPL as well. Hence, if I load the package in my code, my c=
ode needs to be GPL as well.
This leads to a confusing situation: When I use Octave only, I can distribu=
te my code under any license. When I use Octave and also use some packages,=
then my code needs to be distributed under the GPL.
Is my impression correct?
Kind Regards
Felix
[1] https://wiki.octave.org/FAQ#If_I_write_code_using_Octave_do_I_have_to_r=
elease_it_under_the_GPL?
ZEISS classification: Restricted
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<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Ar=
ial",sans-serif">Hi,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Ar=
ial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span lang=3D"EN-US" style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-=
family:"Arial",sans-serif">I am aware of the FAQ on GPL in the Oc=
tave wiki [1]. Still I am unsure, on how to treat third-party Octave =
packages.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span lang=3D"EN-US" style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-=
family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span lang=3D"EN-US" style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-=
family:"Arial",sans-serif">Since an Octave package is a derivativ=
e work of Octave, it must be made available under the GPL as well. Hence, i=
f I load the package in my code, my code needs to
be GPL as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span lang=3D"EN-US" style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-=
family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span lang=3D"EN-US" style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-=
family:"Arial",sans-serif">This leads to a confusing situation: W=
hen I use Octave only, I can distribute my code under any license. When I u=
se Octave and also use some packages, then my code
needs to be distributed under the GPL.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span lang=3D"EN-US" style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-=
family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span lang=3D"EN-US" style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-=
family:"Arial",sans-serif">Is my impression correct?<o:p></o:p></=
span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span lang=3D"EN-US" style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-=
family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span lang=3D"EN-US" style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-=
family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language=
:DE">Kind Regards<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span lang=3D"EN-US" style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-=
family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language=
:DE"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span lang=3D"EN-US" style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-=
family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language=
:DE">Felix<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span lang=3D"EN-US" style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-=
family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language=
:DE"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span lang=3D"EN-US" style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-=
family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language=
:DE">[1]
<a href=3D"https://wiki.octave.org/FAQ#If_I_write_code_using_Octave_do_I_ha=
ve_to_release_it_under_the_GPL">
https://wiki.octave.org/FAQ#If_I_write_code_using_Octave_do_I_have_to_relea=
se_it_under_the_GPL</a>?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span lang=3D"EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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ZEISS classification: Restricted<br>
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