I wanted to port the kde desktop which is dependent on qt from trolltech to my gNewSense install. I just want to make sure it is free software first because I do not want to run non-free software on gNewSense. Is qt licensed under the GPL? All I could find is that if trolltech stops releasing a free version or turns it to proprietary software the kde/qt foundation reserves the right to release it under quote "a BSD Style License" which is very vague to me. I understand KDE is free software but the library which it is dependent on (qt) is what I am questioning. Please enlighten me if you can, Thank you.
Qt has a complex licensing scheme, but basically, if you are writing commercial, proprietary software using Qt, you use a proprietary license. If you are writing free software using Qt, you use a free license. Because KDE is free software, Qt should be free. I'm no expert, but this is what I gather from http://trolltech.com/products/qt/learnmore/licensing-pricing/licensing.
Thankyou, this makes it much clearer. From the link you posted QT is released under the GPLv3 making KDE free software. Thanks for the good news!
I misunderstood the QT's licensing terms, your right they do have a complex scheme. Qt is not released under the GPLv3, it states you are free to use it along with software under the GPLv3. I read a little more on trolltech's site it should be free like you said but it doesn't say it anywhere that i could find.
It's a dual license scheme. Qt is released under GPLv3 if used in a free software project, so it's free software for our uses. The company uses their own license scheme and charges a fee to link Qt to a proprietary program and that's how they make money.
This page is probably a bit clearer as to the dual nature of Qt:
http://trolltech.com/company/about/businessmodel
KDE is entirely free software.
I heard an interview with RMS in which he specifically promoted this idea in order to encourage companies to release their code for free software uses.
Thus you can use KDE in complete confidence, knowing you are using free software.
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