Menu
I have writing a BSD licence software in C#, and I hope to use some stable numerical code in C, which is under GPL.
Can I rewrite the GPL C code in C# and release the C# code under the BSD license?
Thanks a lot.
264
The GPL does not require you to release your modified version, or any part of it. You are free to make modifications and use them privately, without ever releasing them.
This is the original BSD license, modified by removal of the advertising clause. It is a lax, permissive non-copyleft free software license, compatible with the GNU GPL. This license is sometimes referred to as the 3-clause BSD license.
There's no way you can rescind the GPL on the software you have already given someone. The only way that license is allowed to be changed is to a newer version of the GPL. Whoever received it as GPL will always be free to use it and redistribute it to others under the GPL.
When you release your software under the GPL, it means you give anyone a license to use your software under some terms and agreements. If somebody violates the agreement, they are in breach of contract with you. This means you can sue them in a court of law.
You should ask a lawyer.
It hinges on the meaning of "derivative". In my non-lawyerly opinion, rewriting a piece of C code in C# clearly counts as "derivative", and the resulting rewrite will have to be licensed under the GPL when distributed. So no, you can't put it under BSD or a different licence. Instead of the GPL code, you should find some equivalent numerical library that is licensed under BSD/MIT/public-domain or something compatible, or write your own.
Really, you should ask a lawyer.
98
If you love us? You can donate to us via Paypal or buy me a coffee so we can maintain and grow! Thank you!
Donate Us With
