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#1870: LICENSE.txt

projectforge-common/LICENSE.txt License file — projectforge-common module, projectforge-common/LICENSE.txt 635 lines · 522 code · 0 comments · 113 blank
The GNU General Public License Version 3 (GPLv3) — the full legal text of the license under which the projectforge-common module's community edition is distributed. This is the standard GPLv3 text as published by the Free Software Foundation on 29 June 2007, with a ProjectForge-specific copyright preamble by Kai Reinhard (Micromata GmbH).

Architecture

This file contains the complete GNU General Public License Version 3 text (approximately 670 lines). The license text is the standard, unmodified GPLv3 as published by the Free Software Foundation.

Dual Licensing Context

ProjectForge is dual-licensed. This community edition is available under GPLv3. A separate commercial/proprietary license is available for enterprise users who cannot comply with GPLv3 terms (e.g., those who need to integrate ProjectForge into proprietary software without opening their own source code).

Preamble

The file begins with a ProjectForge-specific preamble:

Project ProjectForge Community Edition
        www.projectforge.org

Copyright (C) 2001-2014 Kai Reinhard (k.reinhard@micromata.com)
                        Max-Planck-Str. 5
                        34131 Kassel

ProjectForge is a web-based project management tool.

This software is dual-licensed.

This community edition is licensed by Kai Reinhard under the following
GNU General Public License:

Key GPLv3 Provisions

SectionTopicKey Points
0DefinitionsDefines "Program", "covered work", "convey", "propagate", "source code", "system libraries"
1Source CodeRequirements for providing source code with object code
2Basic PermissionsUnlimited permission to run unmodified program; conditions for conveying modified versions
3Anti-CircumventionProtects users' rights from DRM and anti-circumvention laws (WIPO copyright treaty article 11)
4Verbatim CopiesMay convey verbatim copies with copyright notice and license text
5Modified SourceRequirements for distributing modified versions: notice of changes, license notice, GPL coverage
6Non-Source FormsRequirements for distributing object code: must provide corresponding source or written offer
7Additional TermsAdditional permissions and restrictions that can be added to GPL-covered code
8TerminationLicense terminates on violation, but reinstates if violations cease
9AcceptanceNot required for receiving copies; required for modifying or propagating
10Downstream RecipientsAutomatic licensing of recipients
11PatentsPatent license grant from contributors; anti-discrimination provisions for patent licenses
12No SurrenderOther obligations don't excuse GPL compliance
13AGPL CompatibilityPermits linking with AGPLv3-licensed code
14Revised VersionsFSF may publish new GPL versions; users may follow any version
15-16Warranty/LiabilityNO WARRANTY; limitation of liability
17InterpretationCourts should apply local law closest to absolute waiver

Relationship to Other ProjectForge Modules

Each ProjectForge module (projectforge-common, projectforge-application, projectforge-business, plugins) carries its own LICENSE.txt, though the license terms are typically the same GPLv3 text. The source files themselves carry a brief header referencing the GPLv3 with a URL back to the GNU website.

Note: The preamble mentions copyright 2001-2014 by Kai Reinhard individually, while the source code headers in the actual codebase show copyright 2001-2026 by Micromata GmbH. This reflects the organizational transition during ProjectForge's development history — Kai Reinhard was the original author and founder; the copyright was later assigned to Micromata GmbH.
GPLv3 differs notably from GPLv2 in several key areas: it includes explicit patent license grants (section 11), anti-tivoization/DRM provisions (section 6 on "Installation Information"), and compatibility with the Affero GPL (section 13). These additions make it more suitable for web-based software like ProjectForge.

Git History

9ebb88522 Initial commit