Posted on February 25, 2013 by Paolo Predonzani

Starting from version 4.0.9 which was released last week, Portofino changes its license from GPL to LGPL. Both are free and open source licenses, but the LGPL gives more flexibility, as I'll explain in this blog through 12 simple questions and answers.

 

Is the new license free and open source?

Yes, "free as in free beer" (gratis) and "free as in free speech" (libre). Exactly like before.  

 

Who benefits from the change?

Anybody who wants to use Portofino commercially. Mainly developers of applications and plug-ins.

 

Can I create a commercial application based on Portofino?

Yes. The new license allows you to create applications based on Portofino and distribute them under a proprietary (closed source) license. The copy of Portofino that you include in the application must remain open source, but your application-specific code can be distributed under any license you like.

 

Can I use Portofino with other proprietary components?

Yes. The new license allows you to create and distribute applications that use Portofino and proprietary components (libraries) together.

 

Can I develop a commercial plug-in for Portofino?

Yes. The new license allows you to create and distribute plug-ins for Portofino under a proprietary (closed source) license.

 

Can I charge my customers for my Portofino-based applications?

Certainly yes. This is possible with both the old and the new license.

 

Can I charge my customers for my Portofino-based plug-ins?

Certainly yes. This is possible with both the old and the new license.

 

I'm a developer of open source software. What changes for me?

Practically nothing. Both the old and the new license allow you to create open source software and integrate with other open source software.

 

What should I do to use Portofino under the LGPL?

You are free to download and use Portofino for any purpose. If you distribute applications that include Portofino, you must inform your customers and users that Portofino is open source and give them a copy of the license.

 

Why this change?

Because Portofino is meant to be a platform on which any developer, both open source and commercial, can create outstanding applications.

 

What is the benefit for ManyDesigns?

Our business is based on services related to Portofino, mainly support, consulting and application development. If you like Portofino and the new license, we invite you to consider our commercial services.

 

Where can I find the text of the license?

A copy is included in the software distribution. You can read the text on-line on the Free Software Foundation website.

 

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