The LinuxMCE Developers have not completely explained the LinuxMCE license. It is clear that all new software developed since the Plutohome branch will definitely be licensed under GPL, yet much of the core Plutohome software (and thus core LinuxMCE software) is licensed under a proprietary Pluto License. Until further notice it should be assumed that the following licenses apply:
The following was copied from from this Plutohome page:
Pluto is proud to support the open source movement and believes it is the way to deliver a superior product.
All Pluto's source code is released under either the GPL or Pluto licenses.
Software that may be useful apart from the Pluto system, such as sqlCVS, BD, RA, etc., is released under the GPL license.
Also, Pluto's underlying protocol, DCE, and our DCE Devices are GPL.
Most of the core modules that are unique to Pluto and our target market are released under the Pluto license.
The Pluto license is essentially the same as GPL when the software is
distributed without hardware (ie a pure software distribution). If a hard goods manufacturer wants to include Pluto embedded in their product,
then the Pluto license cannot be used and a
separate license must be obtained from Pluto. Pluto believes this arrangement is a mutual win-win. By sacrificing the revenue from pure software sales, offering the software
royalty free, and opening the source, Pluto hopes to build an active community of users. This benefits the community who can get Pluto for free, and it benefits the company
by making the product more sellable as an embedded solution to hard goods manufacturers and smart home dealers.
The license texts are available here:
| Desciption |
Summary |
License |
| GPL | This is the most popular open source license. You are free to use, copy, sell and modify the software without paying any royalties. However if you make modifications, you are required to make those available to the public. | full text |
| Pluto | When the software is offered without hard goods, the same rights and restrictions apply as with the GPL license. However if a hard goods manufacturer wants to embed the software, or if a dealer wants to sell a turnkey hardware+software solution, then a separate license is required. | full text |
| Package Type |
Package Description |
License |
Manufacturer |
| Pluto Core Programs | DCE Router | GPL | Pluto |
| Pluto Core Programs | Pluto Orbiter | Pluto | Pluto |
| Pluto Core Programs | Pluto PlutoVIP | Pluto | Pluto |
| Pluto Core Programs | Pluto sqlCVS | GPL | Pluto |
| Pluto Core Programs | Pluto Web Site - Admin | GPL | Pluto |
| Pluto Core Programs | Pluto Web Site - Support | GPL | Pluto |
| | | | |
| Pluto Libraries | Pluto Bi-Directional Comm library (BD) | GPL | Pluto |
| Pluto Libraries | Pluto DCE library | GPL | Pluto |
| Pluto Libraries | Pluto IRBase library | Pluto | Pluto |
| Pluto Libraries | Pluto PlutoUtils library | GPL | Pluto |
| Pluto Libraries | Pluto Request Action (RA) Library | GPL | Pluto |
| Pluto Libraries | Pluto Serial Class library | GPL | Pluto |
| Pluto Libraries | Pluto VIPCommon library | Pluto | Pluto |
| | | | |
| Pluto Utilities | Pluto sql2cpp | GPL | Pluto |
| | | | |
| Pluto DCE Devices | Pluto App Server | GPL | Pluto |
| Pluto DCE Devices | Pluto Bluetooth Dongle | Pluto | Pluto |
| Pluto DCE Devices | Pluto Disk Drive | GPL | Pluto |
| Pluto DCE Devices | Pluto GC100 | GPL | Pluto |
| Pluto DCE Devices | Pluto MythTV Player | GPL | Pluto |
| Pluto DCE Devices | Pluto Xine Player | GPL | Pluto |
| | | | |
| Pluto Plug-ins | Pluto MythTV Plugin | GPL | Pluto |
| Pluto Plug-ins | Pluto Standard Plugins | Pluto | Pluto |
| Pluto Plug-ins | Pluto Xine Plugin | GPL | Pluto |
| | | | |
| Pluto Misc | Pluto Development Dependencies | GPL | Pluto |
| Pluto Misc | Pluto Local Database | GPL | Pluto |
| Pluto Misc | Pluto Media Database | GPL | Pluto |
| Pluto Misc | Pluto System Database | GPL | Pluto |
| | | | |
| Pluto Skins | Pluto Skins - Basic | GPL | Pluto |
