[Bf-committers] Blender FAQ for Artists and the GPL

[D.J. Capelis]

Ton asked for someone to write this document back
in August... and well, here it is.  My sincere
apologies that this is all so late, I meant to
have this ready back before September by the
latest.

Anyways, here is the FAQ, Ton has reviewed it and
asked me to have the list provide feedback.

(File is attached in plaintext)

=====
~D.J. Capelis~
Network Security and Cryptography Researcher.
Lead Developer of FOML:  http://foml.inodetech.com


		
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Blender and the GPL
A 15 Question FAQ for Artists


1.In a few sentences, what is the GPL?
2.Can I give Blender to my co-workers or employees?
3.Can I change Blender and give it to my co-workers or employees?
4.Can my organization use Blender internally without giving up our valuable changes to our competitors?
5.When is my work covered by the GPL?
6.What about my python scripts?
7.So I can make games without having to worry about the GPL, right?
8.What if I take screenshots of the blender interface?
9.So I own the copyright to all output?
10.What about the splashscreen and icons?
11.How does the GPL and Blender benefit me?
12.What's the coolest thing about open-source from an artist's perspective?
13.What's the worst thing about open-source from an artist's perspective?
14.Why don't I see more artists using products under the GPL?  Is it the GPL's fault?
15.What big graphics firms use the GPL and other open-source licenses?


In a few sentences, what is the GPL?
	The GPL is a legal agreement in which authors of software and other content to release some of the rights that they are given under copyright law to allow others to use and contribute to their work.  The GPL allows artists and other users to benefit from the developers work as long as they comply with the conditions.  The GPL allows developers to share their work with the world while resting certain that the sharing is contingent on certain conditions and the source code will remain available.

Can I give Blender to my co-workers or employees?
	Of course, you may give any of the versions of Blender on Blender3d.org or Blender.org to your friends.  After 2.25 every version of blender can be distributed under the GPL.  Most of the older versions as well, so long as they aren't the old NAN builds.

Can I change Blender and give it to my co-workers or employees?
	Yes, but if you make modifications you must comply with the GPL and if they request the source code you have to distribute that to them as well.  You can charge for the version of blender you give to your friends even, but it must be licensed under the GPL, and you may not charge an unreasonable fee for the source code.

Can my organization use Blender internally without giving up our valuable changes to our competitors?
	The GPL actually does allow your organization to use a modified version of Blender internally without offering the source-code as long as you do not distribute it outside your company or organization.

When is my work covered by the GPL?
	Anything you create with Blender - whether it's graphics, movies, scripts, exported 3d files or the .blend files themselves - is your sole property, and can be licensed or sold under any conditions you prefer.  (See below for a note about stand-alone executables.)

What about my python scripts?
	Python scripts are completely separate from Blender's source code and the author of the script maintains complete control over the copyright.  You can also use python scripts to link into non-GPL applications, this way you may extend Blender without violating the GPL.

So I can make games without having to worry about the GPL, right?
	That is correct, games are program output and therefore not covered by the GPL.  The Blender team is committed to making sure that Blender can be used for both GPL and non-GPL games without any license conflicts.  With stand-alone games however, any data that is included inside the actual stand-alone executable is covered by the GPL, if this is a problem then you should set up the stand-alone player so it reads from external .blend files.

What if I take screenshots of the blender interface?
	Copyright law in different countries actually differ in this area.  It would be advisable to assume that screenshots are covered under the GPL as part of Blender's copyright.  Please consult legal advice if you're unsure.

So I own the copyright to all output?
	In almost every circumstance for blender, only the code and other GPL'd files themselves are covered.  Any output of such material is copyright the person who produced the output, in this case, the artist.

What about the splashscreen and icons?
	The splashscreen and icons are GPL'd material therefore when using them the terms of the GPL must be followed.  Usage of the Blender Logo, as it is not under the GPL, is described in <link me>this document</link me>.

How does the GPL and Blender benefit me?
	The GPL allows for developers to work on blender without worry that their work could be put into a closed application.  The GPL makes it so that all contributers must make their code open, this means that if someone distributes a version of blender with a cool feature, everyone can have it.

What's the coolest thing about open-source from an artist's perspective?
	From an artist's perspective the openness of the community that forms around an open-source project is probably the best thing.  An open community and development process allows artists to directly talk with programmers, if there's a feature that an artist needs, he or she can directly e-mail a developer about it.  If an artist encounters a bug that needs fixing, he or she can track it in the bug tracking system.

What's the worst thing about open-source from an artist's perspective?
	The only disadvantage to open-source is that you are mostly on an even playing field because everyone has the same rights that you do to the software you're using.  This means that you have to actually produce superior artwork in a competitive environment and can't just relay on superior technology.  Depending on your view of things, this may be an advantage.

Why don't I see more artists using products under the GPL?  Is it the GPL's fault?
	Artists are using products under the GPL.  My favorite saying about why we don't hear about them more often is because they're busy using the products in their job.  Many people develop this code because they need this code, many artists use blender and don't feel the need to post all over the web about it, because it's the art that's important.

What big graphics firms use the GPL and other open-source licenses?
	OpenEXR is a project from Industrial Light and Magic, it is licensed under the a modified BSD license.  Many firms contribute to some of the more advanced open-source graphics software.  Open-Source licenses are being used in greater frequency by large graphics firms.

Disclaimer:  This document is no substitute for legal advice and just represents a subset of possible interpretations of the law and the GPL.