GPL code allowing non-GPL local copies of nondistributed code
- by Jason Posit
I have come across a book that claims that alterations
and augmentations to GPL works can be kept close-source
as long as these are not redistributed into the wild.
Therefore, customizations of websites deriving from
GPL packages need not be released under the GPL and
developers can earn profit on them by offering their
services to their clients while keeping their
GPL-based code closed source at the same time.
(cf. Chapter 17 of WordPress Plugin Development by Wrox Press).
I've never realized this, but essentially, by putting
restrictions on redistributable code the GPL says nothing
about what can and cannot be done with code which is kept private
in terms of the licensing model.
Have I understood this correctly?
