actively enforcing its GPL'd copyrights on behalf of the community of

was generally a private process; the FSF contacted violators

management.  In this document, we highlight these problems and describe

approach to GPL'd software and avoid future violations.

typically only require preservation of copyright notices, the GPL places a

practices for software tool selection, integration and distribution,

establish such practices before building a product based on GPL'd

companies often distribute fully independent, proprietary programs,

system but do not combine with, link to, modify, or otherwise derive from

incorporate the software.  By contrast, your developers often obtain and

does not mean the oversight is any less necessary.  Just as your legal

and/or management team negotiates terms for inclusion of any proprietary

product.

Simple, engineering-oriented rules help provide a stable foundation for

and have them include a brief description of how they will incorporate it

\href{http://fossology.org/}{Fossology system}, which analyzes a

the code.  Fossology can help you build a catalog of the sources you have

binaries that are separate works (i.e., not derived from, nor based on

``scripts to control compilation and installation'' or items ``needed to

companies do provide the compiler itself when they are able, particularly

a GCC-based system, it is your prerogative to redistribute that GCC

community encourage you to do this, since it often makes it easier for

about where you got it, what version it was, and who to contact to acquire

internally developed.

cooperation, and these values extend to GPL enforcement.  You will

have a reasonable dialogue and will work with you to resolve a violation

  often want a company to demonstrate compliance for all GPL'd software in

  reinstate your right to distribute one program unless and until you

  values personal accountability when things go wrong.  Copyright holders

  often require that you name someone within the violating company

  individual serve as the key public contact for the community when

Consider the cost of potential violations in your acquisition process.

wary of vendors who have done so without regard for the licenses.  If your

support services when they make modifications.\footnote{A popular t-shirt

  well-known for modifying products with full knowledge of the

route a GPL source request or accusation of infringement.  The lawyers

disclosure requirements, and should explain those details to the software

with the GPL without serious effort, and receive the substantial benefits

ready-made for their products.