GPL may be unenforceable under German law (InfoWorld) [LWN.net]

GPL may be unenforceable under German law (InfoWorld)

Posted Aug 14, 2003 7:23 UTC (Thu) by dmantione (guest, #4640)
In reply to: GPL may be unenforceable under German law (InfoWorld) by Chemtux
Parent article: GPL may be unenforceable under German law (InfoWorld)

If you need to be able to understand a foreign language in order to be able to use a certain piece of software, then Dutch law allows licenses in that language.

So, a program like GCC, which is only available in English and requires understanding of error messages is ok to have an English license.

For programs like KDE and OpenOffice, which talk to the user in his/her own language, you cannot reasonably expect your user to understand English, and you cannot blame him for being unable to comply to the license.

However, if you do not understand the GPL, by default you are not allowed to "multiply or publish". So, by copying GPL software you indicate you understood something of the license and it might be possible to enforce it.

The conclusion is that it might be a good idea to ship some GPL translations with your software.

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