Changes between Version 19 and Version 20 of Licensing_FAQ

Timestamp:

May 17, 2024 10:06:03 AM (2 weeks ago)

Author:

Klaus Espenlaub

Comment:

Update to refer to GPLv3 as appropriate for 7.0 and later

Licensing_FAQ

@@ -5 +5 @@
  1. '''How is !VirtualBox licensed?'''
 
- The !VirtualBox base package contains the full !VirtualBox source code and platform binaries and is licensed under the [wiki:"GPL" GNU General Public License, version 2]. You can distribute and modify the base package, provided that you distribute all modifications under the GPLv2 as well.
+ The !VirtualBox base package contains the full !VirtualBox source code and platform binaries and is licensed under the [wiki:"GPLv3" GNU General Public License, version 3] (older versions of !VirtualBox before version 7.0 were licensed under [wiki:"GPL" GPLv2]. You can distribute and modify the base package, provided that you distribute all modifications under the applicable GPL version as well.
 
  The !VirtualBox Extension Pack is available under the [wiki:"VirtualBox_PUEL" VirtualBox Extension Pack Personal Use and Evaluation License], which is a free license for personal, educational or evaluation use, or an Enterprise License, which is a for-fee license that allows most commercial, non-distribution uses restricted by the PUEL.
@@ -15 +15 @@
  2. '''Will the licensing terms of the !VirtualBox base package be changed in the future?'''
 
- We are not currently planning to do so, but it doesn't really matter. The license that applies to the !VirtualBox base package is perpetual and cannot be taken back unless you violate the license. Even if Oracle were to change the license again, this would only affect future versions, and anybody still in compliance would still be permitted to redistribute the existing !VirtualBox code under the terms of the GPLv2.
+ We are not currently planning to do so, but it doesn't really matter. The license that applies to the !VirtualBox base package is perpetual and cannot be taken back unless you violate the license. Even if Oracle were to change the license again, this would only affect future versions, and anybody still in compliance would still be permitted to redistribute the existing !VirtualBox code under the terms of the GPLv3 (or GPLv2 for !VirtualBox versions before 7.0).
 
  3. '''What do you mean by ''personal use'' and ''educational use'' in the !VirtualBox Extension Pack [wiki:"VirtualBox_PUEL" Personal Use and Evaluation License] (“PUEL”)?'''
@@ -37 +37 @@
  6. '''Can I redistribute the !VirtualBox base package binaries?'''
 
- Yes. The GPLv2 allows you to distribute the !VirtualBox base package binaries, in modified or unmodified form, as long as you adhere to the terms and conditions of the GPLv2. 
+ Yes. The GPL license allows you to distribute the !VirtualBox base package binaries, in modified or unmodified form, as long as you adhere to the terms and conditions of the applicable GPL version. 
 
  7. '''What are “!VirtualBox Guest Additions”?'''
@@ -45 +45 @@
  8. '''Can I redistribute !VirtualBox Guest Additions?'''
 
- Yes. The GPLv2 allows you to distribute the !VirtualBox Guest Additions, in modified or unmodified form, as long as you adhere to the terms and conditions of the GPLv2.
+ Yes. The GPL allows you to distribute the !VirtualBox Guest Additions, in modified or unmodified form, as long as you adhere to the terms and conditions of the applicable GPL version.
 
  9. '''Can I redistribute the !VirtualBox Extension Pack?'''
@@ -55 +55 @@
  The term “!VirtualBox” has been registered by Oracle as a trademark in various countries. If you choose to ship custom binaries and/or source code revisions of the product, you may not use the !VirtualBox name in those versions.
 
-Last updated 13 February 2024
+Last updated 17 May 2024