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Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL)

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  • J Jo Jo

    @SimonSchroeder said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

    Especially the last sentence means you cannot rely on Qt hosting the source code on GitHub. You neither can ensure that Qt keeps their repository there nor can you ensure that GitHub keeps existing.

    Do I understand correctly that it is enough to provide a link to download the Qt source code, for example, to the GitHub repository?

    jsulmJ Offline
    jsulmJ Offline
    jsulm
    Lifetime Qt Champion
    wrote on last edited by
    #17

    @Jo-Jo said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

    Do I understand correctly that it is enough to provide a link to download the Qt source code, for example, to the GitHub repository?

    No, it means the opposite, because you cannot be sure that GitHub will be there al long as you distribute your software. That's why you should have the source code of the Qt version you're using and provide it on request.

    https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

    J 1 Reply Last reply
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    • jsulmJ jsulm

      @Jo-Jo said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

      Do I understand correctly that it is enough to provide a link to download the Qt source code, for example, to the GitHub repository?

      No, it means the opposite, because you cannot be sure that GitHub will be there al long as you distribute your software. That's why you should have the source code of the Qt version you're using and provide it on request.

      J Offline
      J Offline
      Jo Jo
      wrote on last edited by
      #18

      @jsulm said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

      No, it means the opposite, because you cannot be sure that GitHub will be there al long as you distribute your software. That's why you should have the source code of the Qt version you're using and provide it on request.

      Should it be a web hosting under my control? Even then, the hosting may stop working. Any Internet resource may eventually close down.

      jsulmJ 1 Reply Last reply
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      • J Jo Jo

        @jsulm said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

        No, it means the opposite, because you cannot be sure that GitHub will be there al long as you distribute your software. That's why you should have the source code of the Qt version you're using and provide it on request.

        Should it be a web hosting under my control? Even then, the hosting may stop working. Any Internet resource may eventually close down.

        jsulmJ Offline
        jsulmJ Offline
        jsulm
        Lifetime Qt Champion
        wrote on last edited by
        #19

        @Jo-Jo It doesn't matter how you store the source code. What is required is that you can provide Qt source code to whoever asks for it. It does not have to be an URL, it can also be an USB stick or what ever.

        https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

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        • jsulmJ jsulm

          @Jo-Jo It doesn't matter how you store the source code. What is required is that you can provide Qt source code to whoever asks for it. It does not have to be an URL, it can also be an USB stick or what ever.

          J Offline
          J Offline
          Jo Jo
          wrote on last edited by Jo Jo
          #20

          @jsulm Do you mean to provide the Qt source code on demand? But am I not obliged to provide access to the Qt source code even without user requests?

          jsulmJ 1 Reply Last reply
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          • J Jo Jo

            @jsulm Do you mean to provide the Qt source code on demand? But am I not obliged to provide access to the Qt source code even without user requests?

            jsulmJ Offline
            jsulmJ Offline
            jsulm
            Lifetime Qt Champion
            wrote on last edited by
            #21

            @Jo-Jo said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

            But am I not obliged to provide access to the Qt source code even without user requests?

            You are as far as I know, read again what @SimonSchroeder wrote

            https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

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            • jsulmJ jsulm

              @Jo-Jo said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

              But am I not obliged to provide access to the Qt source code even without user requests?

              You are as far as I know, read again what @SimonSchroeder wrote

              J Offline
              J Offline
              Jo Jo
              wrote on last edited by
              #22

              @jsulm I have read it. As far as I understand, I am obliged to provide a download link plus a guarantee that if the link stops working, I will be able to transfer the Qt sources in an alternative way. To do this, I must store the Qt sources somewhere on my own. Right?

              jsulmJ 1 Reply Last reply
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              • J Jo Jo

                @jsulm I have read it. As far as I understand, I am obliged to provide a download link plus a guarantee that if the link stops working, I will be able to transfer the Qt sources in an alternative way. To do this, I must store the Qt sources somewhere on my own. Right?

                jsulmJ Offline
                jsulmJ Offline
                jsulm
                Lifetime Qt Champion
                wrote on last edited by
                #23

                @Jo-Jo said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

                To do this, I must store the Qt sources somewhere on my own.

                Yes, that's what I wrote

                https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

                J 1 Reply Last reply
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                • jsulmJ jsulm

                  @Jo-Jo said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

                  To do this, I must store the Qt sources somewhere on my own.

                  Yes, that's what I wrote

                  J Offline
                  J Offline
                  Jo Jo
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #24

                  @jsulm Thank you!

                  1 Reply Last reply
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                  • J Offline
                    J Offline
                    Jo Jo
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #25

                    Sorry, do I need to additionally provide the text of the LGPL license in software or on the some web page?

                    1 Reply Last reply
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                    • SGaistS Offline
                      SGaistS Offline
                      SGaist
                      Lifetime Qt Champion
                      wrote on last edited by SGaist
                      #26

                      Yes, with the software. Also QMainWindow QApplication has an aboutQt method that shows this information.

                      Interested in AI ? www.idiap.ch
                      Please read the Qt Code of Conduct - https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

                      J 1 Reply Last reply
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                      • SGaistS SGaist

                        Yes, with the software. Also QMainWindow QApplication has an aboutQt method that shows this information.

                        J Offline
                        J Offline
                        Jo Jo
                        wrote on last edited by Jo Jo
                        #27

                        @SGaist
                        I can't find the QMainWindow::aboutQt method in the documentation. Can you provide a link? I found QApplication::aboutQt but it gives us general information about Qt licensing (not specific to LGPL)

                        One more question: can anyone provide me with a link to a commercial Windows application that uses Qt under the LGPL license? I need such a program as an example

                        SGaistS Z 2 Replies Last reply
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                        • J Jo Jo

                          @SGaist
                          I can't find the QMainWindow::aboutQt method in the documentation. Can you provide a link? I found QApplication::aboutQt but it gives us general information about Qt licensing (not specific to LGPL)

                          One more question: can anyone provide me with a link to a commercial Windows application that uses Qt under the LGPL license? I need such a program as an example

                          SGaistS Offline
                          SGaistS Offline
                          SGaist
                          Lifetime Qt Champion
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #28

                          @Jo-Jo My bad it was QApplication::aboutQt

                          Interested in AI ? www.idiap.ch
                          Please read the Qt Code of Conduct - https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

                          1 Reply Last reply
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                          • J Jo Jo

                            @SGaist
                            I can't find the QMainWindow::aboutQt method in the documentation. Can you provide a link? I found QApplication::aboutQt but it gives us general information about Qt licensing (not specific to LGPL)

                            One more question: can anyone provide me with a link to a commercial Windows application that uses Qt under the LGPL license? I need such a program as an example

                            Z Offline
                            Z Offline
                            zvoopz
                            wrote on last edited by zvoopz
                            #29

                            @Jo-Jo said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

                            can anyone provide me with a link to a commercial Windows application that uses Qt under the LGPL license? I need such a program as an example

                            I dont know which type of license does Viber use. I cant find any information about licenses inside this application but I see a bunch of Qt`s dlls here
                            C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Viber
                            No Qt mention as well
                            image.PNG

                            J 1 Reply Last reply
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                            • Z zvoopz

                              @Jo-Jo said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

                              can anyone provide me with a link to a commercial Windows application that uses Qt under the LGPL license? I need such a program as an example

                              I dont know which type of license does Viber use. I cant find any information about licenses inside this application but I see a bunch of Qt`s dlls here
                              C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Viber
                              No Qt mention as well
                              image.PNG

                              J Offline
                              J Offline
                              Jo Jo
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #30

                              @zvoopz said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

                              No Qt mention as well

                              Probably they are using commercial license but I am interested in example of app which releases under LGPL (no payment for Qt license, but commercial app)

                              Pl45m4P 1 Reply Last reply
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                              • J Jo Jo

                                @zvoopz said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

                                No Qt mention as well

                                Probably they are using commercial license but I am interested in example of app which releases under LGPL (no payment for Qt license, but commercial app)

                                Pl45m4P Offline
                                Pl45m4P Offline
                                Pl45m4
                                wrote on last edited by Pl45m4
                                #31

                                @Jo-Jo said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

                                I am interested in example of app which releases under LGPL (no payment for Qt license, but commercial app)

                                I think it might be hard to tell, because to know this, you have to get the source code, which commercial app developers would not publish.
                                And AFAIK commercial Qt users can link Qt statically while keeping the code hidden. So as "customer" you are not able to tell whether such app even uses Qt.
                                Meanwhile, commercial LGPL developed apps you also have to buy first to inspect the files that are shipped with it.
                                (I don't have any apps I paid for, that were developed using Qt)

                                You could check the Windows App Store. Maybe there you find apps tagged with "Qt" (if there is such feature).
                                Or look into the Showcase subforum here. Maybe you find links to commercial apps that were developed by open source users here in the forum.


                                If debugging is the process of removing software bugs, then programming must be the process of putting them in.

                                ~E. W. Dijkstra

                                J 1 Reply Last reply
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                                • Pl45m4P Pl45m4

                                  @Jo-Jo said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

                                  I am interested in example of app which releases under LGPL (no payment for Qt license, but commercial app)

                                  I think it might be hard to tell, because to know this, you have to get the source code, which commercial app developers would not publish.
                                  And AFAIK commercial Qt users can link Qt statically while keeping the code hidden. So as "customer" you are not able to tell whether such app even uses Qt.
                                  Meanwhile, commercial LGPL developed apps you also have to buy first to inspect the files that are shipped with it.
                                  (I don't have any apps I paid for, that were developed using Qt)

                                  You could check the Windows App Store. Maybe there you find apps tagged with "Qt" (if there is such feature).
                                  Or look into the Showcase subforum here. Maybe you find links to commercial apps that were developed by open source users here in the forum.

                                  J Offline
                                  J Offline
                                  Jo Jo
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #32

                                  @Pl45m4 ok, thank you!

                                  1 Reply Last reply
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                                  • S Offline
                                    S Offline
                                    SimonSchroeder
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #33

                                    BTW, any app needs to comply with the same rules when using Qt under the GPL or LGPL. It doesn't matter if it's commercial or not. As soon as you distribute a binary (even if it is open source) you need to follow these rules. So, open source apps using Qt will suffice as example. Just note that just because someone else isn't doing something (e.g. not providing a download link for the Qt sources) doesn't mean this is the correct way to do it.

                                    jsulmJ 1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • S SimonSchroeder

                                      BTW, any app needs to comply with the same rules when using Qt under the GPL or LGPL. It doesn't matter if it's commercial or not. As soon as you distribute a binary (even if it is open source) you need to follow these rules. So, open source apps using Qt will suffice as example. Just note that just because someone else isn't doing something (e.g. not providing a download link for the Qt sources) doesn't mean this is the correct way to do it.

                                      jsulmJ Offline
                                      jsulmJ Offline
                                      jsulm
                                      Lifetime Qt Champion
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #34

                                      @SimonSchroeder said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

                                      It doesn't matter if it's commercial or not

                                      I disagree with this statement. As far as I know as commercial user you do not have to follow GPL/LPLG as you get Qt under commercial license, not GPL/LGPL (dual licensing).

                                      https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

                                      SGaistS 1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • jsulmJ jsulm

                                        @SimonSchroeder said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

                                        It doesn't matter if it's commercial or not

                                        I disagree with this statement. As far as I know as commercial user you do not have to follow GPL/LPLG as you get Qt under commercial license, not GPL/LGPL (dual licensing).

                                        SGaistS Offline
                                        SGaistS Offline
                                        SGaist
                                        Lifetime Qt Champion
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #35

                                        @jsulm said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

                                        @SimonSchroeder said in Using qt for a commercial application on windows (LGPL):

                                        It doesn't matter if it's commercial or not

                                        I disagree with this statement. As far as I know as commercial user you do not have to follow GPL/LPLG as you get Qt under commercial license, not GPL/LGPL (dual licensing).

                                        I think @SimonSchroeder meant that when using Qt under GPL/LGPL, the fact that the application is commercial or open source does not change anything with regard to respecting these licenses constraints.

                                        Interested in AI ? www.idiap.ch
                                        Please read the Qt Code of Conduct - https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

                                        1 Reply Last reply
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                                        • J Offline
                                          J Offline
                                          Jo Jo
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #36

                                          So, guys, what should I do then? We don't have an example on hand that would prove that all these messages in this topic work effectively in practice. I'm tormented by the question: what if it turns out that following all these rules is not enough to use qt for free? After all, we don't have real examples of anyone who did this and didn't have any problems

                                          Pl45m4P S 2 Replies Last reply
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