My last post brought a new question:
ADVERTISEMENTS
What are the key differences between GNU GPL Free software licenses and public domain software?
Public domain software allows anyone to do whatever they want with software. In short software is not subject to copyright. No person or other legal entity can establish or maintain proprietary interests within a particular legal jurisdiction. See wikipedia article for more information.
GNU GPL is a copyright license. You can use and distribute software under the terms and condition of its license only.
Hope this clears the difference between GPL and public domain software.
🐧 Get the latest tutorials on SysAdmin, Linux/Unix, Open Source & DevOps topics via:
- RSS feed or Weekly email newsletter
- Share to Twitter • Facebook • 4 comments... add one ↓
READ NEXT
30 Best Sources For Linux / *BSD / Unix Documentation On the Web
Linux 25 PHP Security Best Practices For Sys Admins
40 Linux Server Hardening Security Tips [2019 edition]
Introduction to Firewall Builder 4.0
Top 20 OpenSSH Server Best Security Practices
nixCraft - Terms of Service ( Disclaimer Notice )
30 Linux System Monitoring Tools Every SysAdmin Should Know
| Category | List of Unix and Linux commands |
|---|---|
| File Management | cat |
| Firewall | CentOS 8 • OpenSUSE • RHEL 8 • Ubuntu 16.04 • Ubuntu 18.04 • Ubuntu 20.04 |
| Network Utilities | dig • host • ip • nmap |
| OpenVPN | CentOS 7 • CentOS 8 • Debian 10 • Debian 8/9 • Ubuntu 18.04 • Ubuntu 20.04 |
| Package Manager | apk • apt |
| Processes Management | bg • chroot • cron • disown • fg • jobs • killall • kill • pidof • pstree • pwdx • time |
| Searching | grep • whereis • which |
| User Information | groups • id • lastcomm • last • lid/libuser-lid • logname • members • users • whoami • who • w |
| WireGuard VPN | CentOS 8 • Debian 10 • Firewall • Ubuntu 20.04 |
So does this mean that code from the Public domain software can be used in proprietary software?
Can you give an example for ‘public domain’ software? I am aware of works of art slipping into the public domain after some 70 years or so after they are made – but I have never heard about a public domain software.
@Binny,
See example below:
http://www.lysator.liu.se/tolkien-games/entry/angband.html
Just search for Public domain Games or Software using Google to get list of other s/w
@Prashanth,
You can use but you can not make the claim or show any proprietary interests. Most companies prefer to use BSD based software for proprietary use. Personally I like GPL as it gives freedom and protect my rights. BSD is also good choice.
@nixcraft,
I still don’t get it. If your answer to my question was `Yes’, Then it seems very similar to the viral nature of GPL. If `No’ then it seems BSDLish.
/me was never brainy enough to understand the licenses 🙁