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Exploring the GPLv2 License: A Letter to the Address and Its Response

Exploring the GPLv2 License: A Letter to the Address and Its Response

April 24, 2025
GPLv2 open-source software licensing source code Hacker News Stacker News
In 2022, an individual sent a letter to the address specified in the GPLv2 license notice, documenting the process and response, which sparked discussions about the practical implications of open-source licensing.

Exploring the GPLv2 License: A Letter to the Address and Its Response

I wrote to the address in the GPLv2 license notice and ...

In 2022, an individual wrote to the address specified in the GPLv2 (General Public License version 2) license notice. This action was documented and shared online, sparking discussions on platforms like Hacker News and Stacker News. The GPLv2 license, widely used for free software, requires that the source code be made available to anyone who receives the software. The address in the notice is typically provided for recipients to request the source code.

The letter sent to the GPLv2 address and the response received were detailed in a blog post on code.mendhak.com. This post highlights the process and the outcome of reaching out to the address, which is a rare but interesting exercise in understanding the practical implications of open-source licensing.

For more context, you can explore the discussions on Stacker News and Hacker News, where the community shared insights and opinions on this topic.

Sources

I wrote to the address in the GPLv2 license notice (2022) Nothing in the GPLv2 requires a physical letter. The address the OP sent a letter too has already been removed from the canonical version of the ...
I wrote to the address in the GPLv2 license notice and received the ... I was curious about the 51 Franklin Street address in the GPLv2 license notice so I wrote to them as they said.
I wrote to the address in the GPLv2 license notice (2022) \ stacker ... I wrote to the address in the GPLv2 license notice (2022)code.mendhak.com/gpl-v2-address-letter/. 20 sats \ 0 comments \ @hn 18m tech bot.