Hello all!
There are still a few things here I find very unclear.
3.1. I would like to share the source code of my plug-in/host on GitHub.
You can choose the GPLv3 license and feel free to share your plug-ins/host’s source code including the VST3 SDK’s sources on GitHub.
Are you saying that a user of the proprietary license may not share the source code of their project? I would think anyone releasing VST plug-ins or hosts, for profit or not, would be allowed to share their source code if they wish.
3.2. I would like to distribute my plug-in/host as freeware.
You can distribute your plug-in/host in a binary form.This always requires you to choose the “Proprietary Steinberg VST3” license.
Even though you distribute your plug-in/host as freeware you need to fulfill the requirements of the “Proprietary Steinberg VST3” license.
Distributing a plug-in/host in a binary form requires the proprietary license?
Are you saying that a user of the GPLv3 license may not also distribute compiled binaries of the source they release? As I understand it, the actual GPLv3 allows anyone who gets hold of the software in any form to redistribute and modify it openly, without changing the license.
3.3. I would like to sell my plug-in/host in binary form.
If you work for-profit and distribute your plug-in/host in binary form, you need to choose the “Proprietary Steinberg VST3” license.
The GPL itself actually does not prohibit selling one’s software, including in binary form. It only states that the code must also be made available, BUT one may charge a fee for this, and AFAIK it isn’t even required to be in download form. It could be made available only through fax, with a surcharge! Of course, once someone else obtains the program, they are free to distribute it for free as GPL as much as they want, but a developer who releases software as GPL is NOT required to make the binaries or source available at no cost.
3.4. I would like to sell my plug-in/host in binary form.
You can adapt and modify the VST3 SDK’s source for your needs, but if you want to distribute these sources under GPLv3 you have to distribute your plug-in/host’s sources under GPLv3 too.
It is allow to modify the VST3 SDK’s when you distribute your plug-in/host in binary form and choose the “Proprietary Steinberg VST3” license.
If you are of the opinion that we should include your changes in the SDK, please contact us (use the sdk.steinberg.net).
Again, the GPLv3 itself allows one to sell the software in binary form, or at least to sell the service of downloading it, provided the source is also offered (with or without charge).
3.6. I would like to distribute my plug-in/host in binary form based on a modified version of VST3 SDK which is under GPLv3.
Yes, but you have to make sure that your plug-in/host sources are under GPLv3 too!
At the top it says that “You can distribute your plug-in/host in a binary form.This always requires you to choose the “Proprietary Steinberg VST3” license.” Here it says you can distribute it in binary form if the source is under GPLv3?
I suspect a miscommunication here, but I’m not entirely sure. I’m guessing that what was actually meant was:
- If you want to release ONLY binaries of your plug-in/host (with or without charge) you must choose the proprietary license.
- If you want to release the source and/or binary of your plug-in/host, but prohibit others from redistributing or modifying it, you must choose the proprietary license.
- If you want to release the source code of your plug-in/host (with or without charge) you may choose either license.
- If you want to release a binary of your plug-in/host (with or without charge) you may choose either license (just that GPLv3 requires you to also release the source, with or without charge).
This would mean that: - someone choosing GPL could distribute binaries along with the source code, or only the source code;
- someone choosing proprietary could distribute or not distribute either binaries or source code.
Again, I suspect this is what was meant, but this is not what it says here in this FAQ. It actually says that you must choose GPL if you want to distribute source and you must choose proprietary if you want to distribute binaries; so no one could legally distribute both. ?? Is that what is meant?? Because I’m not sure the GPL would even allow this restriction…
I really want to understand this, at least moderately, before I devote the time to developing projects with VST3 SDK.
My own particular case right now is that I want to distribute both binaries and source code of a plug-in (and a host) under GPLv3. I’m concerned that, if I am not allowed to also distribute a binary, my target audience will not take the time to download my source, the VST3 SDK, and a compiler, and compile it on their own. It may seem ludicrous, but this is how it sounds from this post.
Thank you very much!
-Chuckk