FreeGameDev

I want to make a port. and wish to post it on app store so that millions of people will know this amazing game.
I think there is no problom on programming, but on copyright of GPLV3.

If i did it, is it an illegal port?

Using GPL in the appstore it's illegal. Maybe you can make a port and use cydia the alternative appstore

It's a very mucky gray area. The main issue is the (in)possibility to distribute copies of the software without using the Apple Store.
The arguments for being a violation of the GPL seem to win on this, personally I would have no issue with my GNU GPL software being ported to iOS or posted on Apple Store (mind you I have no connection with STK, this is my own view on the subject) as long as the code is available thus making it possible to distribute copies to other users and allowing modifications and redistribution. I don't see how this is any different from code that runs on only one operating system or hardware, if I want to run Windows software I need to by a MS Windows license for an operating system that is compatible with the application, I see that as a similar limitation.

Bottom line, since an iOS application is, in most cases, only accessible using the App Store, if you want to comply with the freedom to distribute the code and copies of the software you are forcing users to buy a iOS Developer Program subscription in order to be able to change and redistribute the software (even if your subscribe to the enterprise program that allows other usages you are still limited to having a developer ID).

Still, it will depend on the "port" you want to do since the GNU GPL applies only to STK's code (and any asset that uses the license), if you write your own code without using any of the STK's code you won't be subject to GNU GPL, but this will imply that you write the all STK's features from scratch without using a single line of existing code.

Oh, say that a GNU GPL violation is "illegal" is a bit too much isn't it? At least around here a license agreement is nothing more than a contract and contract violations are not "illegal" are just contract breaches

Even if the current developers would agree to it, it doesn't mean all previous ones would, so I think any license change/exempts in this case can't be done.

However, it may depend on what version of the license it's under. I know much of the old code used to be GPL v2 or older. But it's better to be safe than sorry, so I think any potential iOS port would have to be made available outside the app store, in which case it's a good question whether there would be any use at all then.

The above is just my personal thoughts on the matter, and doesn't carry any weight in one way or another.

I am not a lawyer, but my understanding is that Apple will not accept anything GPL in the app store; and we cannot relicense STK because to do this we would need the approval of all people having ever participated in the development of STK. This list is very long and also likely includes people that would say no

So the possibility would be to make a port that would only be installable on jailbreaked devices

Knitter {l Wrote}:Oh, say that a GNU GPL violation is "illegal" is a bit too much isn't it? At least around here a license agreement is nothing more than a contract and contract violations are not "illegal" are just contract breaches

It's illegal I think, what would be the point of contract if their violation had no legal consequences?
And even if it is not directly illegal, most contract are about giving right if some conditions are respected, you don't respect the conditions -> you don't have the right given by the contract, so you're doing something illegal.

Knitter {l Wrote}:It's a very mucky gray area. The main issue is the (in)possibility to distribute copies of the software without using the Apple Store.
The arguments for being a violation of the GPL seem to win on this, personally I would have no issue with my GNU GPL software being ported to iOS or posted on Apple Store (mind you I have no connection with STK, this is my own view on the subject) as long as the code is available thus making it possible to distribute copies to other users and allowing modifications and redistribution.

If you have no issue about it (being posted on the App Store, the port itself isn't a problem from what I know), either your software is not under GPL (if it was, users won't be allowed to post copies on the App Store) or you don't care about license's violation for your GPL-licensed works in this case (but it's still license's violation thus illegal).

Knitter {l Wrote}:I don't see how this is any different from code that runs on only one operating system or hardware, if I want to run Windows software I need to by a MS Windows license for an operating system that is compatible with the application, I see that as a similar limitation.

It's not similar, you don't have to buy a Windows license because a contract from the author doesn't allow you to use it on another system, but because it's written for this particular system. The problem is that Apple adds restrictions, in their terms of use of the App Store (and maybe DRMs from the technical point of view), to the software, and they can't do that with GPL-licensed software unless the authors relicensed the software for Apple (but the copies from the App Store won't be under GPL).
They had two possibility, removing the terms of use's restrictions or removing GPL software from the App Store. They chose.

Knitter {l Wrote}:Bottom line, since an iOS application is, in most cases, only accessible using the App Store, if you want to comply with the freedom to distribute the code and copies of the software you are forcing users to buy a iOS Developer Program subscription in order to be able to change and redistribute the software (even if your subscribe to the enterprise program that allows other usages you are still limited to having a developer ID).

We don't restrict freedom to distribute by forcing them to buy something, Apple does (and users can distribute another way I think).

Knitter {l Wrote}:Still, it will depend on the "port" you want to do since the GNU GPL applies only to STK's code (and any asset that uses the license), if you write your own code without using any of the STK's code you won't be subject to GNU GPL, but this will imply that you write the all STK's features from scratch without using a single line of existing code.

If you don't use anything licensed under the GPL (or any license not compatible with the App Store, the GPL certainly ain't the only one but there is certainly no list of them), it should be fine.

Well if we can't release it on ios the how about on Android...

Well, let's say hiker is looking heavily into it.

KRC1023 {l Wrote}:Well if we can't release it on ios the how about on Android...

MobilTuxKart for Android: http://mobiletuxkart.sourceforge.net/

xeno74 {l Wrote}:MobilTuxKart for Android: http://mobiletuxkart.sourceforge.net/

That project that existed for over a year now, and has no files released, no source changes, no web page (and from the looks of it no source repository)? Ah yes, 91% approval - more than STK.

Cheers,
Joerg

iOS probably won't happen

as far as android, see http://code.google.com/p/wrapirrlicht-for-android/

If the Evo2 http://www.envizionsinc.com/index.html ever comes to pass, an android port would be very nice

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ouy ... me-console looks proming