LGPL distribution in the Microsoft Store

daljit97

Hi, I would like to publish my application in the Windows Store. LGPL licensing requires that the user should be to replace the LGPL code (in this case Qt) with their own version. Hence in the case of a Windows app, the user should be able to replace the .dll files associated with Qt (or if you are linking statically provide the object code files of your app). However, the problem is that if I publish my application in the Microsoft Store, then it is very hard (I haven't yet found a way) to do so. This is because, Windows Store apps are stored in the C:\Program Files\WindowsApps folder which is one of the most heavily protected folders in Windows 10. Hence how will I user be able to replace the dll files?

sierdzio

You can provide a separate download on your webpage, containing only your .exe file, users will be able to deploy that exe themselves (not to MS store, but locally on their PCs).

jsulm

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daljit97

@sierdzio yes, unfortunately I would like to monetize my application (selling it on the Windows Store) but a separate free download option would be quite detrimental to that.

sierdzio

@daljit97 said in LGPL distribution in the Microsoft Store:

@sierdzio yes, unfortunately I would like to monetize my application (selling it on the Windows Store) but a separate free download option would be quite detrimental to that.

You don't have to give it away freely. LGPL only mandates that you should enable your users (those who have paid for your app) to be able to swap Qt libs. So you can provide the .exe only to existing customers, on demand.

Or go the easy-but-costly way and buy the commercial license for Qt.

daljit97

@sierdzio I suppose that could be an option I could consider, although I worry about piracy concerns.

sierdzio

@daljit97 said in LGPL distribution in the Microsoft Store:

@sierdzio I suppose that could be an option I could consider, although I worry about piracy concerns.

Well, either worry about that or about Qt license costs. If you break the LGPL then you become the pirate ;-)

In this setup, if somebody gets the exe from you, they have already paid you. It does not solve the piracy problem, but does limit it somewhat.

Unsolved LGPL distribution in the Microsoft Store