The Gpl, the App Store, and You

Posted2 months agoActive2 months ago

IndySun

14 points

5 comments

engadget.comTechstory

calmmixed

Debate

20/100

GplApp StoreLicensingOpen-Source

Key topics

Gpl

App Store

Licensing

Open-Source

The article discusses the implications of the GPL license on apps distributed through the App Store, sparking a discussion on the compatibility of the GPL with the App Store's terms of service.

Snapshot generated from the HN discussion

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Peak period

0-1h

Avg / period

1.7

Key moments

01Story posted
Oct 25, 2025 at 1:52 PM EDT
2 months ago
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02First comment
Oct 25, 2025 at 1:52 PM EDT
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03Peak activity
2 comments in 0-1h
Hottest window of the conversation
Step 03
04Latest activity
Oct 25, 2025 at 7:01 PM EDT
2 months ago
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Discussion (5 comments)

Showing 5 comments

benoau

2 months ago

1 reply

> So the practical outcome is that the App Store and the GPL are incompatible until proven otherwise, and it's probably never going to be proven otherwise. Apple certainly thinks so, or it wouldn't have removed VLC (and other Open Source apps like GNU Go) from the App Store.

It's going to be really interesting to watch Blender target iPads, between their GPL license (complicated), addons (banned) and being able to program throughout it with Python (banned) it may be in for a very bumpy ride.

https://code.blender.org/2025/07/beyond-mouse-keyboard/

whateveracct

2 months ago

Isn't VLC in the App Store? I use it all the time..

Oh on iOS it is. This must be macOS.

janpio

2 months ago

1 reply

(2011)

IndySunAuthor

2 months ago

Ack, thank you, I really should have, and normally do, append the year.