Edit by Johnathan: I split this GNU/GPL discussion from the original topic, because it's not directly related to the change in order notifications from opencart.com.
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Interesting how many people are here replying and yelling.
The most interested facts of that here are:
1. many of you are selling software which is covered under the GNU/GPL
2. most of you are NOT participating this forum
While #1 is okay, it makes me sick hearing you here!
If all of you rely on selling software only, it seems that your business model is the wrong one!
#2 makes more more angry, because all of you are getting money, but give nothing back (except the pieces you are selling).
But when it comes - like now, we can read your statements here.
Just to round up that here are a few facts about the used license:
Does the GPL allow me to require that anyone who receives the software must pay me a fee and/or notify me?
In short: no - but read by yourself: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#Do ... RequireFee
This point may from the most interest for all of you, using "home calls" etc.
Why?
Because:
Why free?If people have to pay when they get a copy of a program, or if they have to notify anyone in particular, then the program is not free.
Well, all your software is distributed under the GNU/GPL (without any further notice), because OpenCart itself is published under the GNU/GPL v.3
And you all would be not here and/or selling software without OpenCart
And this license states clearly, that all software distributed under it IS FREE - under the understanding of "Free to everyone" and "Free to edit" it.
Also "Free to publish" it - also modified versions.
Which leads to:
(Why) does the GPL permit users to publish their modified versions?
Everyone is encouraged to publish modified versions (but no obligation to do so).
But read by yourself: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#Wh ... edVersions
If I distribute GPLed software for a fee, am I required to also make it available to the public without a charge?
Bad news for all of you, if someone pays a fee > he CAN publish that software also.
Read: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#Do ... tyToPublic
If I add a module to a GPL-covered program, do I have to use the GPL as the license for my module?
Yes, or a lesser license - read: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#GPLModuleLicense
Means basically, all of you are not allowed to publish any of your software which does not follow the rules of the GNU/GPL (or lesser license like AGPL, LGPL, etc.).
Is making and using multiple copies within one organization or company “distribution”?
Many of you are "licensing" their software under the "condition", not running the software more than once.
Some of you allow to use a copy during the "development stage".
But none of you allow to use multiple copies - which violates clearly the GNU/GPL, it says: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#In ... stribution
Can I use GPLed software on a device that will stop operating if customers do not continue paying a subscription fee?
Means in this case, I have seen (and read it sometimes) that there may a "subscription fee" to be paid to operate the already paid software.
In short: this is not allowed!
Read: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#SubscriptionFee
One (1) further interesting aspect of the whole license is following (because can be sometimes read - also in this forum):
Does the GPL allow me to sell copies of the program for money?
In short: yes, but the money is only for the service around, not the software itself.
Read: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#Do ... AllowMoney and https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#Do ... tyToPublic
Three (3) final notes:
(a) Someone pays for a copy of the software - may he distribute it (free or/and paid)?
In short: yes.
Read: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq#Do ... tyToPublic
(b) Encrypted/Obfuscated code - is that allowed?
In short: no.
The whole license is talking about source code which means implicite not encrypted/obfuscated.
Especially when someone pays for it - the source code has to be provided (latest on demand of the user who paid for it).
Privacy/GDPR/etc.
It is time to rethink this whole process!
I times of GDPR, CCPA, CCA, and so on, OpenCart as seller has the obligation to protect their clients.
Which means also NOT to publish personal data to everyone (here the so called "developers")!
And email address, first- / lastnames are personal data.
Beside the fact that European Customers (beside some other countries) have the right NOT to find their personal data in/on someones cloud/hard drive in a Country which has no contract with the European Community.
And - further - no data processing contract with OpenCart.
This is also a issue which has to be made public for all - especially for the potential customers when they intend to buy and software.
Currently I do not see any transparent process how data is handled, why when and which!
