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SaaS Use of Open-source Software is not Distribution (Who GNU?)

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I recently answered a LinkedIn question about whether providing Software as a Service (SaaS) is considered a “distribution” under the open-source GNU General Public License. The question and answer (no longer available on LinkedIn) are reproduced, in slightly edited form, below.

Q. Is hosting a software as a SaaS offering considered as “distribution” under GPL / LGPL open source licenses?

A. I believe that SaaS hosting is not intended to be considered distribution.

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