I understood that MediaWiki is provided with the GPL
license, so does this
mean I will have to open up any proprietary code I develop and share it with the
community?
No. GPL states that if you distribute the application, you must
provide the source or be willing to do so if asked.
Is there a way to obtain MediaWiki under a different
license
I sincerely doubt it.
Or perhaps I can develop commercial MediaWiki plugins
and not have to open
them up?
Since MW is PHP based, it's hard to create extensions in such a way
that distribution precludes distributing source.
As a general coding practice, it's best if you can keep all your
modifications in extensions. If you get into the business of
core-hacking, it'll make your life very difficult when you decide you
want to upgrade the base system.
Just my $0.02, and I am not a lawyer.
-- Jim R. Wilson (jimbojw)
On 10/22/07, John Relent <jrelent(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Hi all. I have a question regarding the MediaWiki
license and the
possibility of developing commercial software on top of MediaWiki; if this
list isn't the correct address, please let me know who I should ask.
I'm considering developing a commercial product on top of MediaWiki. I
understood that MediaWiki is provided with the GPL license, so does this
mean I will have to open up any proprietary code I develop and share it with
the community? Is there a way to obtain MediaWiki under a different license,
and make proprietary developments without having to open them up? Or perhaps
I can develop commercial MediaWiki plugins and not have to open them up?
I'll be much appreciative if you could help me understand which options I
have.
Many thanks,
--JR
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