So, how free is free?

GPL'd Software for UK schools

All the resources on this website are distributed under the General Public License (GPL). This means if your only interest is downloading the programs and using with your class then effectively these resources are free, go right ahead. Read on if you want to distribute or alter them however.

The reason the GPL was selected is that it allows teachers to use the resources free of charge but means that any changes should be available and able to be incorporated in the program. Please feel free to hack away if you think it'll make it a better resource!

To read the full text of the GPL click here. The gist of it is outlined below but this is only a sketch and in no way affects your rights/obligations:

Anyone who receives the software is allowed to distribute it and can charge for doing so if they choose but:

• Anyone they distribute it to must receive it under the same license so they may then in turn distribute it. No extra conditions are allowed to be imposed.
• The source code must be included or easily available to anyone who is given the software. It must be the complete source code, able to be compiled into the program as given.

Anyone can modify the program or base other software projects on it as long as:

• Anyone they distribute the derived work must receive it under the GPL so they may then in turn distribute it. No extra conditions are allowed to be imposed. Note that if you aren't distributing your derived work you aren't obligated to do anything but although it's not in the license, I'd appreciate it if you sent the changes back to me so I can incorporate it.
• The source code must be included or easily available to anyone who is given the software. It must be the complete source code, able to be compiled into the program as given.