How Can GPL-Licensed Software Be Valid for a Company?

GPL-licensed software is evaluated on the basis of the same criteria than any other software packages. If licensing is clear which means that the conditions of the use of the software package can be clarified in a sufficienf manner, the software is considered to be valid. The requirements of all the suitable licenses for the software package have been summarized in the use instructions.

The GPL license is not automatically considered unvalid because the conditions of the different licenses meet the needs of different companies in different manners. However, Validos members have possibility to alter their views of the licenses. Member-specific definitions can be made so that the summary in the databank makes all GPL-licensed and similar software appear for the member not more risky than "possible risk" (in orange). Other definitions can also be made.

Different companies have different situations in which GPL-licensed software is not suitable as a part of a proprietary software (but in most cases is suitable as a platform). This is why in the use instructions for the GPL-licensed software it is stated that if a GPL-licensed software is added as a part into another software the whole entity must be distributed under the conditions of the GPL. It is also emphasized in the use instructions that there are major requirements considering the distribution.

However, GPL-licensed software may be suitable in many situations: for example as a platform and in the redevelopment of the platform even if the rest of the licensing would be proprietary. In addition, in customer projects the GPL license may be acquired directly by the customer instead for example proprietary software. And in some companies business strategy may even encourage the development of GPL-licensed software.