GPLv3 source code with license check for some build configuration, DFSG ok?

[Thomas Preud'homme <thomas.preudhomme@celest.fr>]

Hi there,

 

TL;DR: ok to distribute GPLv3 code with license key check for an existing build configuration that does not have that license check?

 

ultracopier's source code has a license check when built in ultimate mode. However the source code is readily available, licensed under GPLv3 and I plan to ship a non ultimate build into Debian. Is that ok according to DFSG and thus ok to distribute in Debian? I would say yes because the build Debian would distribute wouldn't be restricted in use and its source code would be readily available and free to be modified.

 

I'm less sure about the ultimate edition (note that this would not affect Debian). GPLv3 says:

 

"You may not impose any further restrictions on the exercise of the
rights granted or affirmed under this License."

 

I think the license key check is such a further restriction. So even though I could not find any written restriction in redistribution of an ultimate editon, neither in the source, nor on the website of the software project that the license check link to, I would say it fails to respect the GPL. It does not even prevent redistribution of the license key itself as far as I could see but that shouldn't change the decision either.

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