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open source

The App Store and the GPL

May 26, 2010 21:13:06.303

Here's an interesting app store issue:

An iPhone port of GNU Go is currently being distributed through Apple's App Store. However, this distribution is not in compliance with the GNU GPL. The primary problem is that Apple imposes numerous legal restrictions on use and distribution of GNU Go through the iTunes Store Terms of Service, which is forbidden by section 6 of GPLv2. So today we have written to Apple and asked them to come into compliance.

That's from the FSF. They go on to say that they expect Apple to drop the app from the store rather than comply; that's how I'd bet. I also wouldn't be surprised to see the SDK development rules updated to forbid GPL code....

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posted by James Robertson

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