What license does Joomla! use?
The GNU General Public License Version 2. http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html
Within the context of this FAQ, "GNU GPL" and "GPL" refer to the GNU General Public License Version 2.
What is the difference between the GPL and the LGPL?
The GNU GPL is intended to be used for applications whereas the GNU
LGPL is intended to be used for application libraries. The Joomla!
Content Management System is an entire application that utilizes a
multitude of libraries, both GPL and LGPL, and thus is licensed under
the GPL license.
Where can I read more about the license?
The GNU General Public License: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html
The GNU GPL Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0-faq.html
The philosophy behind the GNU: http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/
What is the definition of Open Source/Free Software?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software
What is meant by "voluntary compliance?"
We want all parties to come into compliance with our license, as it
strengthens our ability to defend and protect Joomla! We do not have
the will nor the means to go after everyone who violates our license
nor do we intend to. We are asking the community to voluntarily comply
with the GPL.
What is the difference between "commercial" and "proprietary"?
Commercial software means that
there is some sort of commercial activity surrounding that software.
It could be a business that develops it and charges money for
distribution, support, documentation, customization, etc. Commercial
software is not necessarily proprietary software and proprietary
software is not necessarily commercial software. Proprietary software
means that you do not have the right to copy, modify, and redistribute
that software.
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprietary_software
Does the license allow someone to sell a copy of Joomla!?
Yes. The Preamble of the GNU GPL states "when we speak of free
software, we are referring to freedom, not price. Our General Public
Licenses are designed to make sure that you have the freedom to
distribute copies of free software (and charge for this service if you
wish), that you receive source code or can get it if you want it, that
you can change the software or use pieces of it in new free programs;
and that you know you can do these things."
Also see: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0-faq.html#DoesTheGPLAllowMoney
Can I remove the Joomla! Copyright notice in the footer region (and other related questions)?
Yes, you can remove the Joomla! copyright notices from any part of
the output that the Joomla! application generates. You may not remove
the copyright notice from the source code itself.
Can I remove the Joomla! Copyright notice in the Meta information of a Joomla! website?
Yes, you can remove the copyright notices from any part of the output
that the Joomla! application generates. You may not remove the
copyright notice from the source code itself.
What should I do if I find a possible violation of the GPL?
You should report the possible violation to the appropriate copyright
holders. If you believe someone is violating the GPL license of the
people who develop the Joomla! project please report the violation by
e-mail to
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. Extensions
Does the license allow someone to sell an extension?
Yes. The Preamble of the GNU GPL states "when we speak of free
software, we are referring to freedom, not price. Our General Public
Licenses are designed to make sure that you have the freedom to
distribute copies of free software (and charge for this service if you
wish), that you receive source code or can get it if you want it, that
you can change the software or use pieces of it in new free programs;
and that you know you can do these things."
Also see: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0-faq.html#DoesTheGPLAllowMoney
Does the license allow someone to encrypt an extension?
Yes, technically, but the distributor must provide access to the
complete and unencrypted source code by either including it in the
package or by making it available for download. The distributor must
provide access "for a charge no more than [their] cost of physically
performing source distribution." See [1].
Can I release an extension under a non-GPL licence?
It is our opinion that most extensions are derivative works of Joomla!
and must be licensed under the GNU GPL. It is possible that an
extension could work within Joomla! and not be considered a derivative
work according to copyright law but this would have to be evaluated on
a case-by-case basis. If you believe your extension is not a
derivative work we strongly recommend that you seek professional legal
advice.
How does the treatment of templates differ from the treatment of components, modules, and plugins?
In our opinion, templates are composite packages that consist of both
code elements and non-code elements. We believe that the code elements
of a template must be licensed under the GNU GPL because they are
derivative works. However, the non-code elements are just data acted
upon by the software and may be licensed in any way the author sees
fit. The non-code elements include elements like Images, Movies,
Animations, CSS and formatting markup.
Please see: "Does JavaScript included in templates and extensions need
to be licensed under the GPL? " and "Does the CSS in my template need to
be licensed under the GPL? "
What is the difference between a bridge to another package and an extension?
A bridge links Joomla! to an external application so that they can
exchange data and cooperate. On the Joomla! side of the bridge, the
bridge is treated just like a component, module, or plugin; it must
comply with the GPL unless it is a separate work (and some bridges
might indeed be separate works).
If the external application is separate enough from Joomla! that it is
a separate work under copyright law, it may be licensed under whatever
license the holder of its copyright sees fit.
Does the CSS in my template need to be licensed under the GPL?
Not unless it is based on work that is licensed under the GNU GPL. See [1].
Does JavaScript included in templates and extensions need to be licensed under the GPL?
Not unless it is based on work that is licensed under the GNU GPL. See [1].
If I include a module in a template, does it need to be under the GPL license?
Generally, yes. See "Can I release an extension under a non-GPL license? "
I purchased a copy of an extension that violates the Joomla! licence. Can I now distribute it under the GPL?
No. You should report the violation to the appropriate copyright holders.
Can I offer a hosted service with my custom, proprietary extensions?
Yes. The GNU GPL does not apply until you attempt to distribute
your custom extensions to an outside party. If you decide to
distribute your extensions, they will need to be licensed under the GNU
GPL.
Footnotes:
[1] The Joomla! project is no substitute for an attorney. If
you have specific legal questions that require precise answers we
strongly suggest you attain legal counsel in your own jurisdiction.
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