Joomla Licensing FAQ
- Transfer
In continuation of the translation of reference materials on licensing various CMS, I publish a translation of such material about another fairly popular CMS - Joomla !, which is also licensed under the GPL. The text contains explanations on issues such as, for example, is it possible to sell licenses for Joomla !, to encrypt extensions and license them under other licenses.
What license is applied for Joomla !?
GNU General Public License version 2 or later. www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html Throughout this FAQ, “GNU GPL” and “GPL” refers to the GNU General Public License version 2.
What is the difference between GPL and LGPL?
The GNU GPL is intended to be used with respect to programs, while the GNU LGPL is intended to be used with respect to software libraries. The content management system as a whole is a program that uses numerous libraries licensed under both the GPL and LGPL (as well as under the terms of other licenses compatible with the GPL), and therefore licensed under the terms of the GPL.
Where can I read in more detail about the license?
GNU General Public License: www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html
Answers to questions about the GNU GPL licenses (FAQ): www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0- faq.html
GNU Philosophy: www.gnu.org/philosophy
What is the definition of open / free software?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software
What does “voluntary consent” mean?
We want all the elements to be brought into compliance with our license, which will strengthen our ability to protect and safeguard Joomla! We have neither plans nor means to go after everyone who violates our license. We ask the community to voluntarily abide by the GPL.
What is the difference between “commercial” and “proprietary”?
Commercial software means that certain commercial activities are being conducted around such software. This may be a business for its development and collection of money for distribution, support, documentation, customization, etc. Commercial software does not always mean closed source software, and closed source software does not always mean commercial software. Closed source software means that you cannot copy, modify or distribute such software.
See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprietary_software
Does the license allow anyone to sell a copy of Joomla !?
Yes. The GNU GPL preamble reads: “When we talk about free software, we mean freedom, not cost. Our Standard Public Licenses are designed to make sure that you have the freedom to distribute copies of free software (and charge a fee for this service if you wish), that you received the source code, or you can get it if you wish that "you can change the software or use fragments of it in new free programs, and that you realize that you can do all of the above."
Also see: www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0-faq.html#DoesTheGPLAllowMoney
Can I delete Joomla! Copyright Notice! footer (and other related issues)?
Yes, you can delete copyright notices on Joomla! from any part of the output generated by Joomla! You cannot remove such information from source code.
Can I remove the copyright notice on Joomla! in meta information on Joomla !?
Yes, you can remove copyright notices from any part of the output generated by Joomla! You cannot remove such information from source code.
What should I do if I find a possible violation of the GPL?
You must report the possible violation to the respective copyright holders. If you believe that someone is violating the provisions of the GPL with respect to those who are developing Joomla !, please report the violation to our Trademark Contact Center using the appropriate ticket for violations.
Extensions
Does the license allow anyone to sell the extension?
Yes. The GNU GPL preamble reads: “When we talk about free software, we mean freedom, not cost. Our Standard Public Licenses are designed to make sure that you have the freedom to distribute copies of free software (and charge a fee for this service if you wish), that you received the source code, or you can get it if you wish that "you can change the software or use fragments of it in new free programs, and that you realize that you can do all of the above."
Also see: www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0-faq.html#DoesTheGPLAllowMoney
Does the license allow anyone to encrypt the extension?
Technically, yes, but the distributor must provide access to the source code in its entirety and not encrypted, by including it in the package or by making it available for download. A distributor must provide access “for a fee not greater than the cost of physically providing the source code”.
Can I publish the extension not under the GPL?
In our opinion, most extensions are derived from Joomla! and therefore must be licensed under the GNU GPL. It is assumed that the extension can work with Joolma! and not be a derivative work in accordance with copyright, however, this is determined in each case. If you believe your extension is not a derivative work, we strongly recommend that you seek professional legal advice.
What is the difference between template recycling and component, module and plugin recycling?
In our opinion, templates are composite packages that contain both code and other objects as elements. We believe that the code included in the template should be licensed under the terms of the GNU GPL, because it is a derivative work. At the same time, other objects are simply data managed by the program, and can be licensed under any conditions on which the author wishes. Other objects include elements such as images, videos, animations, css, and formatting markup.
To your attention: The GPL & The JED material about special use cases.
What is the difference between bundling with another package and extension?
A bunch of links Joomla! with an external application so that they can exchange data and interact with each other. From Joomla! a bundle acts as a kind of component, module, or plug-in, therefore it is necessary to comply with the requirements of the GPL if it is not an independent object (and some bundles really are independent objects).
If the external application is a standalone object in relation to Joomla! in the understanding of copyright, it can be licensed under any conditions on which its copyright holder wishes.
Should CSS code in my template be licensed under the GPL?
Not unless it is based on an object that is licensed under the GNU GPL. See GPL & JED (special cases).
Should JavaScript included in templates and extensions be licensed under the GPL?
Not unless it is based on an object that is licensed under the GNU GPL. See GPL & JED (special cases).
If I include the module in the template, should it be licensed under the GPL?
In general, yes. See www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#GPLModuleLicense
I purchased a copy of an extension that violates the Joomla! License Can I distribute it under the terms of the GPL?
Not. You must report the violation to the respective copyright holders.
Can I offer my own service with my own closed source extensions?
Yes. The GNU GPL does not apply until you start distributing your own extensions to third parties. If you decide to distribute your extensions, they must be licensed under the GNU GPL.
Can I publish the extension under a GPL-compatible license?
Joomla! or extension for Joomla! may include a blockchain that is licensed under a compatible license, because the blockchain can be successfully licensed under the GPL for the purpose of the application (of course, without changing the license for other applications using the same library). This is because such licenses are less restrictive, and the Joomla! adds GPL restrictions for any use of such libraries with Joomla! As the FSF explains on its website:
Extensions derived from Joomla !, and Joomla itself! licensed under the GNU GPL. Therefore, extensions cannot be licensed under a more permissive license. They cannot give their users and subsequent users the few rights that they can obtain under the GPL. GPL-compatible licenses do not guarantee that subsequent users will have the same rights as current users. Therefore, their use is derived from Joomla! violates the terms under which copyright holders licensed their code, which falls under the terms of use of the GNU GPL.
For more than two years now, the Joomla! Team Project expressly states that in our opinion and the opinion of legal experts, we consider the extensions under discussion almost always as derivative works with respect to Joomla and therefore they must be licensed under the GNU GPL.
See the following materials for additional clarification:
www.fsf.org/licensing/licenses/gpl-faq.html
http : //wordpress.org/development/2009/0... e-gpl-too /
_____________
approx. trans. - My other CMS licensing translations:
What license is applied for Joomla !?
GNU General Public License version 2 or later. www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html Throughout this FAQ, “GNU GPL” and “GPL” refers to the GNU General Public License version 2.
What is the difference between GPL and LGPL?
The GNU GPL is intended to be used with respect to programs, while the GNU LGPL is intended to be used with respect to software libraries. The content management system as a whole is a program that uses numerous libraries licensed under both the GPL and LGPL (as well as under the terms of other licenses compatible with the GPL), and therefore licensed under the terms of the GPL.
Where can I read in more detail about the license?
GNU General Public License: www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html
Answers to questions about the GNU GPL licenses (FAQ): www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0- faq.html
GNU Philosophy: www.gnu.org/philosophy
What is the definition of open / free software?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software
What does “voluntary consent” mean?
We want all the elements to be brought into compliance with our license, which will strengthen our ability to protect and safeguard Joomla! We have neither plans nor means to go after everyone who violates our license. We ask the community to voluntarily abide by the GPL.
What is the difference between “commercial” and “proprietary”?
Commercial software means that certain commercial activities are being conducted around such software. This may be a business for its development and collection of money for distribution, support, documentation, customization, etc. Commercial software does not always mean closed source software, and closed source software does not always mean commercial software. Closed source software means that you cannot copy, modify or distribute such software.
See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprietary_software
Does the license allow anyone to sell a copy of Joomla !?
Yes. The GNU GPL preamble reads: “When we talk about free software, we mean freedom, not cost. Our Standard Public Licenses are designed to make sure that you have the freedom to distribute copies of free software (and charge a fee for this service if you wish), that you received the source code, or you can get it if you wish that "you can change the software or use fragments of it in new free programs, and that you realize that you can do all of the above."
Also see: www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0-faq.html#DoesTheGPLAllowMoney
Can I delete Joomla! Copyright Notice! footer (and other related issues)?
Yes, you can delete copyright notices on Joomla! from any part of the output generated by Joomla! You cannot remove such information from source code.
Can I remove the copyright notice on Joomla! in meta information on Joomla !?
Yes, you can remove copyright notices from any part of the output generated by Joomla! You cannot remove such information from source code.
What should I do if I find a possible violation of the GPL?
You must report the possible violation to the respective copyright holders. If you believe that someone is violating the provisions of the GPL with respect to those who are developing Joomla !, please report the violation to our Trademark Contact Center using the appropriate ticket for violations.
Extensions
Does the license allow anyone to sell the extension?
Yes. The GNU GPL preamble reads: “When we talk about free software, we mean freedom, not cost. Our Standard Public Licenses are designed to make sure that you have the freedom to distribute copies of free software (and charge a fee for this service if you wish), that you received the source code, or you can get it if you wish that "you can change the software or use fragments of it in new free programs, and that you realize that you can do all of the above."
Also see: www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0-faq.html#DoesTheGPLAllowMoney
Does the license allow anyone to encrypt the extension?
Technically, yes, but the distributor must provide access to the source code in its entirety and not encrypted, by including it in the package or by making it available for download. A distributor must provide access “for a fee not greater than the cost of physically providing the source code”.
Can I publish the extension not under the GPL?
In our opinion, most extensions are derived from Joomla! and therefore must be licensed under the GNU GPL. It is assumed that the extension can work with Joolma! and not be a derivative work in accordance with copyright, however, this is determined in each case. If you believe your extension is not a derivative work, we strongly recommend that you seek professional legal advice.
What is the difference between template recycling and component, module and plugin recycling?
In our opinion, templates are composite packages that contain both code and other objects as elements. We believe that the code included in the template should be licensed under the terms of the GNU GPL, because it is a derivative work. At the same time, other objects are simply data managed by the program, and can be licensed under any conditions on which the author wishes. Other objects include elements such as images, videos, animations, css, and formatting markup.
To your attention: The GPL & The JED material about special use cases.
What is the difference between bundling with another package and extension?
A bunch of links Joomla! with an external application so that they can exchange data and interact with each other. From Joomla! a bundle acts as a kind of component, module, or plug-in, therefore it is necessary to comply with the requirements of the GPL if it is not an independent object (and some bundles really are independent objects).
If the external application is a standalone object in relation to Joomla! in the understanding of copyright, it can be licensed under any conditions on which its copyright holder wishes.
Should CSS code in my template be licensed under the GPL?
Not unless it is based on an object that is licensed under the GNU GPL. See GPL & JED (special cases).
Should JavaScript included in templates and extensions be licensed under the GPL?
Not unless it is based on an object that is licensed under the GNU GPL. See GPL & JED (special cases).
If I include the module in the template, should it be licensed under the GPL?
In general, yes. See www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#GPLModuleLicense
I purchased a copy of an extension that violates the Joomla! License Can I distribute it under the terms of the GPL?
Not. You must report the violation to the respective copyright holders.
Can I offer my own service with my own closed source extensions?
Yes. The GNU GPL does not apply until you start distributing your own extensions to third parties. If you decide to distribute your extensions, they must be licensed under the GNU GPL.
Can I publish the extension under a GPL-compatible license?
Joomla! or extension for Joomla! may include a blockchain that is licensed under a compatible license, because the blockchain can be successfully licensed under the GPL for the purpose of the application (of course, without changing the license for other applications using the same library). This is because such licenses are less restrictive, and the Joomla! adds GPL restrictions for any use of such libraries with Joomla! As the FSF explains on its website:
All versions of the GNU GPL license permit such combinations privately; they also permit the distribution of such combinations licensed under the same version of the GPL. Another license is GPL compatible if it allows the same.
Extensions derived from Joomla !, and Joomla itself! licensed under the GNU GPL. Therefore, extensions cannot be licensed under a more permissive license. They cannot give their users and subsequent users the few rights that they can obtain under the GPL. GPL-compatible licenses do not guarantee that subsequent users will have the same rights as current users. Therefore, their use is derived from Joomla! violates the terms under which copyright holders licensed their code, which falls under the terms of use of the GNU GPL.
For more than two years now, the Joomla! Team Project expressly states that in our opinion and the opinion of legal experts, we consider the extensions under discussion almost always as derivative works with respect to Joomla and therefore they must be licensed under the GNU GPL.
See the following materials for additional clarification:
www.fsf.org/licensing/licenses/gpl-faq.html
http : //wordpress.org/development/2009/0... e-gpl-too /
_____________
approx. trans. - My other CMS licensing translations:
