Launching a website that has GNU GPL components [closed]

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I'm a little confused as to what I can and can't actually do here with the GNU GPL license. I've developed a web application that was 70%...ish complete. I then discovered that someone had created almost an exact replica of what I'm doing but theirs is complete with a few more components (doh) and it was released under the GNU GPL.

If I use this GNU GPL code, make changes, mods, add features, etc.....do I have to share my code? From the FAQ's:

The GPL does not require you to release your modified version. You are free to make modifications and use them privately, without ever releasing them. This applies to organizations (including companies), too; an organization can make a modified version and use it internally without ever releasing it outside the organization.

But if you release the modified version to the public in some way, the GPL requires you to make the modified source code available to the program's users, under the GPL.

"release the modified version". Sorry, this is where I'm confused, if I release the code to the public then sure, I'll make it available, but if I launch the the web app does this mean I HAVE to make my source code available somewhere in the site?

Answer 1

If you use your web app (which is licensed under GPLv2) on your server you don't have to release the source code to its users.

The AGPL was created to close this loophole, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affero_General_Public_License for more details.