Do download sites violate GNU GPL programs?

Lior W. opensource.*.nwo at neverbox.com
Tue Dec 14 11:51:06 UTC 2010


VirtualDub is an example of a popular GNU GPL program for which only 
binaries are hosted by download sites (except the official site).

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#SourceAndBinaryOnDifferentSites 
(in case it's also relevant for the older GPLv2) states it's only valid 
to not also host the source code) if they "provide clear instructions 
people can follow to obtain the source." Well, they don't.

Moreover, I would bet they also don't "take care to make sure that the 
source remains available for as long as you distribute the object code." 
If the official site were to dissapear, does anyone here really think 
they'll stop hosting VirtualDub? After all, download sites are known for 
keeping files that have lost their official sites years (if not a decade) 
ago. They usually don't even have a unique category for GNU GPL 
softwares, which could have put them under special supervision.




More information about the License-discuss mailing list