Emelia and Lola have created a new software application that allows messaging site subscribers to analyze the message statistics in order to more easily assess and interact with followers. They have…

Question

Options

• AThey can only sell this software through a not-for-profit company.
• BThey can sell this software, but only if they make the software code available on a public
• CThe software enters the public domain for free use and can be altered by other
• DThe software enters the public domain for free use, but any changes made in the future

• A
  13% (8)
• B
  8% (5)
• C
  76% (48)
• D
  3% (2)

Explanation

GNU GPL v3 is a copyleft "free software" license, meaning it grants anyone the right to run, study, modify, and redistribute the software - making option C correct in that the software is freely available and alterable by others.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• A is wrong because GPL places no restriction on the seller's corporate structure - commercial use is explicitly permitted, including through for-profit companies.
• B is partially true (GPL does require source code availability upon distribution), but framing it as a condition only for selling misrepresents the license; the source code requirement applies to all distribution, not just sales.
• D is actually the most technically accurate description of GPL's famous "copyleft" clause - that any future modifications must also be released under GPL - but the exam marks C as correct, likely because D's phrasing implies a restriction that undermines free use.

Memory tip: Think of GPL as the "pay it forward" license - you get the software free and open, and anyone who builds on it must keep it free and open. The key word in the name is "General Public": it's for the public to use and change freely.

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