FAQ of the GPL

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http://forums.oscommerce.com/viewtopic.php?p=91375#91375
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Hola Harald:

I think the GPL require you to publish the source code if you make it available in any way to public. I think this is done when you sell this code to any other company (your client) different from you.

[quote][b][color=red]Does the GPL require that source code of modified versions be posted to the public?[/color][/b]

The GPL does not require you to release your modified version. You are free to make modifications and use them privately, without ever releasing them. This applies to organizations (including companies), too; an organization can make a modified version and use it internally without ever releasing it outside the organization.

But [b]if you release the modified version to the public in some way, the GPL requires you to make the modified source code available to the users, under the GPL.[/b]

Thus, the GPL gives permission to release the modified program in certain ways, and not in other ways; but the decision of whether to release it is up to you. [/quote]
([url]http://www.fsf.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#TOCGPLRequireSourcePostedPublic[/url])

Althoug, in this FAQ we can find this:
[quote][b][color=red]If I distribute GPL'd software for a fee, am I required to also make it available to the public without a charge?[/color][/b]

No. However, if someone pays your fee and gets a copy, the GPL gives them the freedom to release it to the public, with or without a fee. For example, someone could pay your fee, and then put her copy on a web site for the general public.[/quote]
([url]http://www.fsf.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#TOCDoesTheGPLRequireAvailabilityToPublic[/url])

Maybe we have not the right to ask for the publishment of the code, but if the code is GPL'ed (as I think it should be) any of the clients of this company can make it public.