Who's behind gpl-violations.org?
gpl-violations.org was originally founded by Harald Welte.
Meanwhile, it has attracted the attention of a (small) group of volunteers who are helping with various issues. The "core team" consists of Harald Welte and Armijn Hemel. We're working in close cooperation with Dr. Till Jaeger from the law firm JBB Rechtsanwälte.
The goals of the gpl-violations.org effort are supported by a large number of free software developers. After all, why would somebody choose to license his software specifically under the GNU GPL, if he wouldn't agree with it's terms and obligations?
There is a huge amount of positive feedback, support and encouragement from the Free Software community worldwide.
Why gpl-violations.org?
The project was started to raise the awareness about past and present violations of the GNU General Public License. Its main purpose is therefore gathering, maintaining and distributing information about people who use and distribute GPL licensed free software without adhering to the license terms.
Goals of gpl-violations.org
The goals are:
- Raise public awareness of the infringing use of free software, and thus putting pressure on the infringers.
- Give users who detect or assume GPL-licensed software is being misused a way to report them to the copyright holders. This is the first step in enabling the copyright holders to push for license compliance.
- Assist copyright holders in any action against GPL infringing organizations.
- Distribute information on how a commercial entity using GPL licensed software in their products can comply with the license.
