Ask HN: Commercial licensing of code that runs on R

3 points by arvindkumarc 8 years ago | 3 comments

We are trying to bootstrap our startup with R analytics, the only thing that is restricting us from going ahead with R is the licensing (GNU GPLv3).

1. We would love to know whether we can build the analytics logic in R and sell it but also restrict them from accessing the code?

2. Can we release our algorithm alone as a separate bundle and let the users install R and other runtime libraries; we at runtime run our scripts on top of the R installation? (The libraries which would be installed might be GPLv3.)

3. We also find enterprise versions of R (Oracle/Microsoft/Alteryx etc.,). How are they able to price it? We are not sure if they are releasing the source as and when required. If they aren't releasing the source, how is that possible?

smt88 8 years ago |

Any answer you get here won't substitute for the opinion of a lawyer. Never build a company on shaky or non-existent legal advice.

arvindkumarc 8 years ago | |

Agreed. Im just trying to make myself clear that there is problem, not taking it as a legal advice. Mostly looking out for other options or better be aware etc.,

smt88 8 years ago | | |

That's exactly my point. You need a lawyer to tell you if there's no problem, a small problem, or a large problem. The armchair lawyers on HN may give you confident-sounding answers, but the advice won't be sound enough to build a business on.

Consulting a lawyer about this should cost you less than $500. You can usually find startup lawyers who will work for equity (or just the promise of future business) if cash is that tight.