Re: Commercial Use and Source Code

[Jean-Philippe MENGUAL <jpmengual@debian.org>]

Le 19/07/2019 à 19:56, Aron Reman a écrit :
> Hi,
>
> Thank you for the response. I just wanted some clarification. Under the 
> Debian license, I do not have to release source code as long as I am 
> writing my source code on top of the existing system correct? As in, I 

I think yes, note Debian has no license itself, it is a distribution of 
free software. Debian also can distribute non-free softwar, even if it 
is not supported officially (out of the main repo). Finally, not 
releasing your code is not a sufficient reason to make it not free. It 
is not if you do not give it to your users.


> am writing C/C++ code and running it on a Debian OS, which will be on my 
> product that is going to be sold commercially. It is my understanding 
> that under these conditions, I do not need to make my source code public.

Yes I think. Now just decide about he freedoms with your license, 
regardless its publicity

Regards

> Thanks,
>
> Aron
>
> On Fri, Jul 19, 2019 at 1:46 PM Jean-Philippe MENGUAL 
> <jpmengual@debian.org <mailto:jpmengual@debian.org>> wrote:
>
>     Hi,
>
>     The first thing I think is tat you do not have to publish your code.
>     Free software requests you to let the user free with your source, not
>     you to work publicly. A code may be free if you give the user the
>     source
>     and all the freedoms.
>
>     About your project, it depends on what programs you use. If you use
>     free
>     software, you are under their license (GPL or other). According to some
>     licenses, you have to share your changes with the author when you
>     re-use
>     a free program, others do not say this.
>
>     If you just add code in Debian, I think you are free. Just do not make
>     inacessible some source under a free license.
>
>     Regards
>
>
>
>     Jean-Philippe MENGUAL
>     Le 19/07/2019 à 18:37, Aron Reman a écrit :
>      > Hi Debian Legal,
>      >
>      > I am developing an embedded system for a commercial application
>     that is
>      > running a Debian based OS. I am developing C/C++ code that is
>     running in
>      > the user space and am wondering, am I able to distribute my system
>      > without giving up my source code? At what point do I need to make my
>      > source code public?
>      >
>      > Thanks,
>      >
>      > Aron
>
>
>
> --
>
> *Aron Reman*
>
> *Product Engineer*
> *
> *
> *
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