Review of GPL code requirements text

[ard-gpl at kwaak.net]

On Wed, Feb 14, 2007 at 09:56:07PM +0100, Florian Weimer wrote:
> > If GPL code is modified in order to make improvements, all GPL sources
> > used must be published so that others can rebuild the GPL code.
> 
> The obligation to publish sources is independent of the question
> whether they have been modified.

But: You are only obligated to publish sources if you also
publish binaries.
If you make an (embedded?) device, with gpl'd software, and you
rent that device to a third party, you are not publishing
software, and hence you don't have to publish source code or
anything.
If you use and modify GPL'd source code in house of a big company
(like banking), you are not obligated to publish anything.

If you modify GPL'd source code for a big company, and give the
binaries *AND* source code to that big company, neither you or the
big company are obligated to publish source to a third party.

This part I am not completely sure about:
If you modify GPL'd source code for a big company, and give the
binaries *WITHOUT* source code to that big company, you might be
obligated to publish source code to any third party who asks for
3 years or so.

Anyway: if you (re)write GPL'd software for third parties, it is
best to always give the source with the software.