Installer containing GPL binary [closed]

Question

I have a closed-source application that calls an unmodified GPL binary from the command line. I need to distribute the GPL binary with my application. Can I include it in the installer while keep my application closed source and comply with the GPL license terms? Or do I need a different method of distribution for the binary?

Answer 1

Yes you can distribute a GPL'ed binary.

You should probably note somewhere in your license or help-about that the binary is GPLed and where to get the source. If you haven't modified it - you don't have to provide the source.

There is a link to a compliance guide, although this takes a very 'pro GPL' line suggesting that you have to do an awful lot of work if you aren't GPL.

edit: Perhaps a good test is the original 'freedom' aim of the GPL.
Does your usage allow the user to swap out the GPL'ed part for a newer or their own version?
Do you just use the standard command line call of the GPL binary or do you rely on a particular binary build (by some weird in memory patching or DLL loading technique), or deliberately lock it to 'your' binary with eg. checksums ?