Bradley M. Kuhn, Software Freedom Law Center
Track: Emerging Topics
Date: Monday, July 07
Time: 1:45pm - 5:15pm
Location: Salmon
This tutorial gives an explanation of the most popular Free Software
copyright license, the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL), and teaches
software developers, managers and business people how to use the GPL and
GPL'ed software in new Free Software business, and in existing, successful
enterprises.
Attendees should have a general familiarity with software development
processes, and a vague understanding of how copyright law applies to
software. This tutorial is of most interest to software developers and
managers who already, or wish to, run software businesses that modify,
redistribute, or make use of software under terms of the GPL.
This tutorial explains the GPL to professionals who are not well versed in
the details of copyright law. Presented by a software developer and
manager, this tutorial informs non-lawyers who wish to have a deeper
understanding of how the GPL uses copyright law to protect software
freedom, and to assist in the formation of Free Software businesses.
You can expect to learn:
The freedom-defending purpose of each term of the GPL
The redistribution options under the GPL
The obligations when modifying GPL'ed software
How to properly apply the GPL to new software
How to build a plan for proper and successful compliance with the GPL
The business advantages that the GPL provides
The most common business models used in conjunction with the GPL
How existing GPL'ed software can be used in existing enterprises
