gday, just a question about the GPL:

I am currently wirting some fairly advanced LAN administration software, and I'm considering uploading it to a source code site, like planetsourceocode.com or something. But I would like my code to be protected; This is ome serious software, and I don't want some kid to d/l and wwrite their name all over it and re-release it. or even sell it or what not. (i mite consider that auctually...) Is there some sort if diclaimer or agrreement that i can include in my code that prohibits this? I know i can't exactly stop someone doing it, but i'd sure like to mess up the kid that does it.

Anything would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

You can do one of two things. Either you write your own little license, in which case keep it simple (like "this code is released for learning purposes only. Any entity who acquires a copy of this code may use it only as an aid to their learning. It may not be released in any form by any individual other than the original author, or used for any purpose other than learning by any person other than the original author"), because if you make it complicated there will be loopholes - there's probably even loopholes in that example, or you use an existing open-source license. If you wish to do that, have a read of http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/categories.html and http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/license-list.html . You should also read http://www.opensource.org/ , but they seem to be broken at the moment.

Once you have made some decisions about this, you might like to create a page with a name like LicensingConsiderations on the wiki, and write a bit about your thoughts.

ok, thanks alot buzgub!
you seem to be answering alot of my questions lately...
=D

I wonder if you are allowed to sell it yourself if you release it under the GPL.

Yeah, I think so...just so long as you provide [or atleast offer] the source code also...but not certain.

The GPL places no restrictions on the original author of code. It only grants rights to others. And, anyone can sell GPL'ed code, as per Itinitl's post.

- taubz

As the author of GPL software, you are able to sell the right to include your software in proprietary software. This is how quite a few opensource projects make a bit of money.