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Is it okay to combine a proprietary program with a GPL program after distribution?

Open Source Asked on August 28, 2021

I want to distribute a combined work containing program X, plugin P and plugin Q. Plugin P has a proprietary license (which allows redistribution) and plugin Q is distributed under the GPL. X has a license which is compatible with both, such as LGPL.

Obviously, I’m not allowed to distribute this combined work under any license.

Can I distribute an installer script which installs X, P and Q on the user’s computer when they run it? Is there any GPL violation happening here?

I may even include copies of X and P, or X and Q, inside the installer. The other component will be downloaded from the Internet so that I can claim the installer is not derived from it.

2 Answers

Can I distribute an installer script which installs X, P and Q on the user's computer when they run it?

I have the feeling that you are treading on thin ice here and you should definitely consult a lawyer with experience in open-source licensing before betting a company on it.

Your safest option is to distribute X without any plugins and let the user install them afterwards. It would be even better if the plugins are retrieved from different locations, as that can give you a defense that you don't know about the conflicting licenses and that you can't control it either.

Otherwise, I see a possibility where you might be on the hook for "contributing to copyright infringement" because you knew about about X+P+Q not being legal to be distributed and not telling your customers who make that combination.

Answered by Bart van Ingen Schenau on August 28, 2021

According to the GPL FAQ:

I would like to bundle GPLed software with some sort of installation software. Does that installer need to have a GPL-compatible license? (#GPLCompatInstaller)

No. The installer and the files it installs are separate works. As a result, the terms of the GPL do not apply to the installation software.

Answered by oxr463 on August 28, 2021

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