My software uses a library that is GNU GPL. Is my software also GPL?

Question

Hiya,
I got someone to write a piece of code for me that was meant to be proprietary software (i.e restricted to my terms). I have since found out that it uses a library that was written under the GNU GPL license.
My question is whether this whole program is now automatically open source / free (is the whole thing under the GNU GPL now?)?
Would be great if people can back up their answers with some references!
Thanks!

Answer 1

It isn't automatically free, but the terms of the regular GPL license require you to make the application free in order to link any GPL libraries. As the previous answer states, you're violating the GPL otherwise. I believe that the LGPL ("Lesser" GPL) will allow you more freedom.



You can get the definitive answer to this question (and many others) from the authors of the GPL themselves at:

http://www.fsf.org/licensing/licenses/gpl-faq.html#LinkingWithGPL



Cheers, Skip

Answer 2

convinced, you could promote the game, and make funds from classified ads. you should contain copyright credit for GNU code contained in the game, you won't be able to patent or in the different case encumber the GNU code, and also you should assign all improvements and copyrights made contained in the GNU code to the loose software beginning position.

Answer 3

Not automatically, but you are in violation of the license for the library.