GPL2 vs GPL3

• Nov 18, 2017 - 22:22

Hi, new musescore user here, i was just curious, for what i know, the main difference between gpl2 and 3 is that in v3 everyone who uses the musescore code as a base must release the software they make as free software as well, not just to give back any improvements on the software to its original developer.
I was wondering why the developers of musescore would release under gpl2, wouldnt they want to be sure musescore code couldnt be used by a third party for personal gain?
Excuse me for any mistakes in my english!


Comments

GPLv3 didn't exist when MuseScore came to existence in 2002. GPLv3 is from 2007.
I don't think you got the difference between v2 and v3 right though. In both case, if the software is released to the public, then it has to be released under the same licence and so the code needs to be made public too. There is no obligation to "give back improvements to its original developer" in any of the GPL licence as far as as I know. Also, the point of GPL is not to forbid personal gain from third party,. GPLv2 software can be sold by anyone for example (assuming they respect the licence).

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