Can I release sourcecode of a software developed in .NET as GPL? [closed]

Question

We are planning to release one of our software under GPL. The problem is that the entire software is developed in Microsoft technologies (C# and SQL Server). The source code in my 100% ownership. Most of the GPL projects developed in open tools like php, python, java, mysql etc.. Is there any legal issues for publishing .net source code under GPL?

Thanks and regards

Answer 1

In short statement: yes you can. It is because GPL it was written to give following rights

1. to run the program, for any desired purpose,
2. to study how the program works, and modify it,
3. to redistribute copies and to improve the program, and release the improvements to the public

Moreover on SO there's a discussion how to apply GPL to C# code: Adding GNU GPL Licence to C# App

Answer 2

Of course you can. There is nothing about the toolchain (or any toolchain I know of) that would prevent you from releasing your source code as open source.

The reason you don't see as many open source projects using .NET is that open source developers are traditionally less likely to use Microsoft technologies over the open source tools readily available on open source operating systems. While Mono runs C# and is open source, C# is nowhere near as popular on non-Windows systems.