GNU License

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by affiliatemarket5000, Jun 16, 2008.

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  1. #1
    Hello,

    I hired a programmer to develop a web site for me. The content is original and the design looks good. However, there is a 3rd party script embedded in the code that was written by someone else and is under the GNU license. The programmer included contact information (email address, name, and website) for the individual who wrote the script. I understand that the GNU license basically means freeware or shareware but really don't know a lot of the intricacies.

    Is it illegal for the programmer to sell me a web site that contains a 3rd party script that is under the GNU license and written by someone else? The programmer has given me full copyrights on the work and I was wondering if this is legal and if I should accept the work.

    I was hoping someone has experience with the GNU license with respect to free lance web development.

    Thanks,
    Jack
     
    affiliatemarket5000, Jun 16, 2008 IP
  2. centsi

    centsi Active Member

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    #2
    The programmer shouldn't technically charge you for the script because they didn't write it. You can certainly use it in your site if it's under the GNU though.
     
    centsi, Jun 17, 2008 IP
  3. affiliatemarket5000

    affiliatemarket5000 Guest

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    #3
    Hello,

    Thanks for the response. Technically, I paid the developer to make a website, I didn't pay individually for the script. The website happens to contain the GNU script. I'm concerned that if the website says Copyright 2008 MyDomainName that the person who wrote the GNU script would have a legal issue because their script is part of a website that is copyrighted to me.

    Do a lot of websites that are copyrighted to a company name contain scripts under the GNU license?

    Thanks,
    Jack
     
    affiliatemarket5000, Jun 17, 2008 IP
  4. rohan_shenoy

    rohan_shenoy Active Member

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    #4
    ^In that case, you can disclaim that by puttings up a credits page or linking your copyright notice in the footer to the expanded copyrigts page where you discalim rights over things that don't belong to you.
     
    rohan_shenoy, Jun 17, 2008 IP
  5. affiliatemarket5000

    affiliatemarket5000 Guest

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    #5
    Hello,

    The credits are given to the maker of the scripts within the PHP code. However, visitors to the site will not see any of the PHP code. I'm not familiar with the extended copyrights page, are there are any references that you would recommend?

    I would think that most websites don't reinvent the wheel for common tasks.

    Thanks
    Jack
     
    affiliatemarket5000, Jun 18, 2008 IP