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+ - Ask Slashdot: Someone is licensing code I wrote un 5

Submitted by cultiv8
cultiv8 writes "I am a developer and released some code at one point under GPLv2. It's nothing huge, a small Drupal module that integrates a Drupal e-commerce system (ie. Ubercart) with multiple Authorize.net accounts, very useful for non-profits. Earlier today I discovered that a Drupal user was selling the module from their website for $49 and claiming it was their custom-made module. IANAL but my perspective is this violates both the spirit and law of GPLv2, most specifically clause 2-b:

You must cause any work that you distribute or publish, that in whole or in part contains or is derived from the Program or any part thereof, to be licensed as a whole at no charge to all third parties under the terms of this License.

Am I correct in my understanding of GPLv2? Do I have any recourse, and related, should I do anything about this? I don't care about money, I just don't want someone selling stuff that I released for free. How do most developers/organizations deal with licensing infringements of this type?"

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Ask Slashdot: Someone is licensing code I wrote un More

Ask Slashdot: Someone is licensing code I wrote un

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  • I wish I could edit this, the correct title I entered was:

    Ask Slashdot: Someone is licensing code I wrote under GPLv2

  • To be honest; I have written code in the past that has been stolen or used I don't mind!

    As always, stop complaining and if you are a good programmer go and write some more code that is better than your previous attempt *chuckle*

  • Yes, they can sell it as long as they provide the source code to anyone who buys it. That's what the GPL says.

    However, if they've stripped your authorship identifications, removed the GPL legends or otherwise changed the legal language then they've infringed your copyright and you can bust them.

    • orig post said the seller is claiming it as their own code, which is a violation of pretty much any license I'm aware of. If the seller is honest, they'd correctly credit the author. Lying about the author upfront suggests they probably removed previous copyright notices and intentionally are violating the license.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Spazmania (174582)

        The devil's in the details. If they claim it's theirs on the web page but then leave all the original author and license legends in the code then they're probably safe. Very safe if some small part of the code actually is theirs.

"Facts are stupid things." -- President Ronald Reagan (a blooper from his speeach at the '88 GOP convention)

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