LGPLGPL

The GNU Lesser General Public License, or LGPL, is a free software license created by the Free Software Foundation. It is a more permissive version of the GNU General Public License (GPL). The primary distinction lies in how it applies to linked software. Software licensed under the LGPL can be linked to by proprietary, non-free software without requiring the proprietary software itself to be released under the LGPL.

This linkage allowance is a key feature. If a library is distributed under the LGPL, developers can use that library in their own applications, even if those applications are closed-source. However, any modifications made directly to the LGPL-licensed library itself must still be released under the LGPL. This ensures that the library remains free and open, while allowing for broader adoption in various software projects.

The LGPL is often used for software libraries and components that developers want to make available to a wide audience, including those developing commercial or proprietary software. It strikes a balance between encouraging the use of free software and allowing for its integration into diverse development environments. The LGPL is considered a "weak copyleft" license due to its less restrictive requirements on derivative works compared to the "strong copyleft" of the GPL.