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Zimbra has provided this FAQ to help clarify legal matters surrounding the licensing of the Open Source Web Client,
Zimlets, Server, GNU General Public License, and the Common Public Attribution License. This is not legal advice; if
there are any specific questions about how Zimbra’s licenses apply to your use, please seek legal counsel.
1. Q: What is the License for Zimbra’s Open Source Edition Web Client Code?
A: The Zimbra Open Source Edition Web Client Code is licensed under the Common Public Attribution License
Version 1.0 (CPAL v.1).
2. Q: What is the License for Zimbra’s Open License Community Zimlets Code?
A: The Zimbra Open License Community Zimlet Code is licensed under the Common Public Attribution License
Version 1.0 (CPAL v.1).
3. Q: What is the License for Zimbra’s Open Source Edition Server Code?
A: The Zimbra Open Source Edition Server Code is licensed under the GNU General Public License Version 2 (GPL
v.2). That means you are free to download, reuse, modify, and distribute those files under the terms of the GPL
Version 2 and to run the Server in combination with any code with any license that is compatible with Version 2
such as the Affero General Public License (AGPL) version 3.
Zimbra
zimbra.com | 3000 Internet Blvd., Suite 200, Frisco, Texas 75034 © Copyright 2014 Zimbra, Inc. All rights reserved.
US 1.877.492.9484 | UK 44.203.178.3010
ZIMBRA OPEN SOURCE
EDITION LICENSE FAQ
8. Q: The GPL requires that I distribute the “source code’ of my files. What does that mean?
A: The “source code” of a file means the format that is intended for people to edit. It has to be the file itself,
without any compression or obfuscation.
11. Q: If I sell my code for a fee do I also have to make it available for free?
A: No. If someone pays you a fee and obtains a copy, they have the freedom to release the code to the public for
free. For example, someone could pay your fee and then put their copy on a web site for the general public.
13. Q: I would like to link my proprietary code to the Open Source Server. Does that mean I GPL’ed my program? What
about the Web Client and Zimlet?
A: Yes. If you link your program to any GPL program, your program will also now be governed by the GPL. Under
CPAL v.1, you are able to link with the Web Client or Zimlet without having to use the CPAL license. However, any
modifications you make to the Web Client or Zimlet would be governed under the CPAL.
Zimbra
zimbra.com | 3000 Internet Blvd., Suite 200, Frisco, Texas 75034 © Copyright 2014 Zimbra, Inc. All rights reserved.
US 1.877.492.9484 | UK 44.203.178.3010
ZIMBRA OPEN SOURCE
EDITION LICENSE FAQ
15. Q: What does it mean to say that two licenses are “compatible”?
A: In order to combine two programs (or substantial parts of them) into a larger work, you need to have
permission to use both programs in this way. If the two programs’ licenses permit this, they are compatible. If
there is no way to satisfy both licenses at once, they are incompatible. Just installing two separate programs in the
same system, it is not necessary that their licenses be compatible because this does not combine them into a larger
work.
16. Q: What is the difference between “mere aggregation” and “combining two modules into one program”?
A: Mere aggregation of two programs means putting them side-by-side on the same hard disk. They remain
separate programs and not parts of a single program. In this case, if one of the programs is covered by the GPL/
CPAL, it has no effect on the other program.
Combining two modules means connecting them together so that they form a single larger program. If either part
is covered by the GPL, the whole combination must also be released under the GPL. If you are unable to do this,
you may not combine them.
What constitutes combing two parts into one program is a legal question viewed case by case. You should seek legal
advice to review your circumstance.
17. Q: If I add a module to the OS Server, do I have to use the GPL as the license for my module?
A: Yes. You can accept a contract to develop changes and agree not to release your changes until the client says ok.
This is permitted because in this case, no code is being distributed under the NDA.
You can release your changes to the client under the GPL/CPAL but agree not to release them to anyone else
unless the client says ok. In this case, too, no code is being distributed under an NDA, or under any additional
restrictions. The client would have the right to redistribute your version. However, the client is able to choose not
to exercise that right.
18. Q: Am I able to develop a modified version of the software under a nondisclosure agreement?
A: No. Any modified versions must carry all the freedoms stated in the GPL/CPAL. Thus, anyone who receives a
copy of your version from you has the right to distribute copies of that version. You may not distribute any version
of the work on a more restrictive basis.
Zimbra
zimbra.com | 3000 Internet Blvd., Suite 200, Frisco, Texas 75034 © Copyright 2014 Zimbra, Inc. All rights reserved.
US 1.877.492.9484 | UK 44.203.178.3010
ZIMBRA OPEN SOURCE
EDITION LICENSE FAQ
20. Q: Can I release a modified version of the OS Server in binary form only?
A: No. The whole point of the GPL is that all modified versions must be free software. This means that the source
code of the modified version is available to the users.
21. Q: I downloaded just the binary from the net. If I distribute copies, do I have to get the source and distribute that
too?
A: Yes. If you distribute binaries you must also distribute the complete corresponding source code too. There is an
exception for the case where you received a written offer for source code but is limited.
22. Q: What does “written offer valid for any third party” mean? Does that mean everyone in the world can get the
source of any GPL’ed program no matter what?
A: If you choose to provide through a written offer, then anybody who request the source from you is entitled to
receive it.
If you commercially distribute the binaries not accompanied with the source code, the GPL says you must provide
a written offer to distribute the source code later. When users non-commercially redistribute the binaries they
received from you, they must pass along a copy of this written offer. This means that people who did not get the
binaries directly from you can still receive copies of the source code, along with the written offer.
23. Q: I want to distribute binaries via physical media without accompanying sources. Can I provide source code by
FTP instead of by mail order?
A: You are supposed to provide the source code by mail-order on a physical medium if someone orders it. You are
welcome to offer people a way to copy the corresponding source code by FTP, in addition to the mail-order option,
but FTP access to the source is not sufficient to satisfy section 3 of the GPL.
When a user orders the source you have to make sure to get the source to that user. If a particular user can
conveniently get the source from you by anonymous FTP, that does the job. But not every user may be able to do
so. All users are entitled to get the source code from you.
If the FTP access is convenient it is possible no one will choose to mail-order a copy. But this may not always be the
case.
If you distribute binaries via FTP, you should distribute source via FTP as well.
24. Q: Is making and using multiple copies within one organization or company “distribution”?
A: No, in that case the organization is making the copies for itself. A company or other organization may develop a
modified version and use it for themselves without releasing that modified version to a third-party.
However, when the organization transfers copies to other organizations or individuals, this is distribution. In
particular, providing copies to contractors for use off-site is distribution.
Zimbra
zimbra.com | 3000 Internet Blvd., Suite 200, Frisco, Texas 75034 © Copyright 2014 Zimbra, Inc. All rights reserved.
US 1.877.492.9484 | UK 44.203.178.3010
ZIMBRA OPEN SOURCE
EDITION LICENSE FAQ
25. Q: Can I put the binaries on my Internet server and put the source on a different Internet site?
A: The GPL says you must offer access to copy the source code “from the same place.” However, you are allowed to
post the source code on another site and cross-reference that site on your Internet server. However, this does not
mean linking back to another site that happens to have the appropriate source code today. That site may change
the version or no longer host the source and therefore you would no longer be in compliance. Using sites like
Github would satisfy this requirement however.
26. Q: How can I make sure each user who downloads the binaries also gets the source?
A: You don’t have to make sure of this. As long as you make the source and binaries available so that the users can
see what’s available and take what they want, you have done what is required of you. It is up to the user whether
to download the source. The requirements for redistributors is intended to make sure the users can get the source
code, not to force users to download the source code even if they don’t want it.
27. Q: I want to distribute an extended version of the OS Server in binary form. Is it enough to distribute the source
for the original version?
A: No, you must supply the source code that corresponds to the binary. Corresponding source means the source
from which users can rebuild the same binary.
28. Q: Using programs under the GPL or CPAL does not work for us. Are there any additional options?
A: Yes there is! Zimbra offers network editions of all our open source software. These versions have additional
features and are not governed by the GPL or CPAL. You can see the full details and gain additional information
here http://www.zimbra.com/products/.
30. Q: I want to get credit for my work and want people to know what I wrote. How do I do that?
A: Under the GPL, you are able to write your own copyright notice. The GPL requires all copies of the work to
retain all copyright notices. Furthermore, the CPAL allows you to add your name as a contributor under Exhibit B
within the license agreement.
Zimbra
zimbra.com | 3000 Internet Blvd., Suite 200, Frisco, Texas 75034 © Copyright 2014 Zimbra, Inc. All rights reserved.
US 1.877.492.9484 | UK 44.203.178.3010
ZIMBRA OPEN SOURCE
EDITION LICENSE FAQ
Attribution Phrase (not exceeding 10 words): Powered by Zimbra Open Source Edition
36. Q: So, does this mean I have to place Zimbra’s logo on my graphical user interface?
A: Yes, CPAL allows Zimbra to require that the attribution include Zimbra’s logo on any graphical user interface
that accesses the Zimbra code.
37. Q: Are there any guidelines as to how Zimbra’s logo should be displayed?
Yes, the CPAL provides that the attribution should be prominently displayed and the size of the logo should be
consistent with the size of other elements of the attribution. We interpret this to mean that the size of Zimbra’s
logo should be consistent with the size of any other logos displayed in the graphical user interface.
Zimbra
zimbra.com | 3000 Internet Blvd., Suite 200, Frisco, Texas 75034 © Copyright 2014 Zimbra, Inc. All rights reserved.
US 1.877.492.9484 | UK 44.203.178.3010