Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

General Public License
     
         (GPL, note US spelling) The licence applied to most
        {software} from the {Free Software Foundation} and the {GNU}
        project and other authors who choose to use it.
     
        The licences for most software are designed to prevent users
        from sharing or changing it.  By contrast, the GNU General
        Public License is intended to guarantee the freedom to share
        and change {free software} - to make sure the software is free
        for all its users.  The GPL is designed to make sure that
        anyone can distribute copies of free software (and charge for
        this service if they wish); that they receive source code or
        can get it if they want; that they can change the software or
        use pieces of it in new free programs; and that they know they
        can do these things.  The GPL forbids anyone to deny others
        these rights or to ask them to surrender the rights.  These
        restrictions translate to certain responsibilities for those
        who distribute copies of the software or modify it.
     
        See also {General Public Virus}.
     
        (1994-10-27)