TikTok streaming software is an illegal fork of OBS

The original Tweet (embedded one from HunterAP) says TikTok installs OBS and uses it in the background with a TikTok front-end. It doesn’t say that they’ve illegally forked it.

EDIT: See comments from OBS developer below for a more clear explanation of the issues than the linked Tweet

Re: TikTok streaming software is an illegal fork of OBS

#6

Post by throwawayay02 » Fri, Dec 17, 2021, 2:16 PM UTC

> OBS is free for anyone to use, for any reason. Other developers can use the OBS code in their own projects as long as they obey the guidelines set forth in the GPLv2 license. OBS has no watermarks or other limitations and can be used commercially with no restrictions.

So I guess there's nothing wrong with that.

Re: TikTok streaming software is an illegal fork of OBS

#7

Post by dtech » Fri, Dec 17, 2021, 2:24 PM UTC

throwawayay02 wrote: post #6

> OBS is free for anyone to use, for any reason. Other developers can use the OBS code in their own projects as long as they obey the guidelines set forth in the GPLv2 license. OBS has no watermarks or other limitations and can be used commercially with no restrictions. So I guess there's nothing wrong with that.

It depends on how they integrated. GPLv2 requires that TikTok's version is either GPL-compatible itself (I doubt it), or they use OBS as an external program.

edit This comment [1] claims GPL code is compiled into their non-GPL program, which is a huge no-no

[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29592556

Re: TikTok streaming software is an illegal fork of OBS

#8

Post by Rygian » Fri, Dec 17, 2021, 2:24 PM UTC

a2tech wrote: post #3

Well not illegal. It looks like they need to acknowledge and include the OBS license.

If they are not already acknowledging and including the OBS license, then it's already in breach of the license (ie. "illegal" in the informal sense that you used).

Re: TikTok streaming software is an illegal fork of OBS

#9

Post by ghusbands » Fri, Dec 17, 2021, 2:25 PM UTC

People are misunderstanding this and claiming it's not problematic. Ben Torrell (an OBS developer) notes later in the thread that there is indeed GPL code compiled into TikTok's executables; since source is not available and they have not got another license, it is unlicensed and hence illegal.

Re: TikTok streaming software is an illegal fork of OBS

#10

Post by jmcs » Fri, Dec 17, 2021, 2:25 PM UTC

throwawayay02 wrote: post #6

> OBS is free for anyone to use, for any reason. Other developers can use the OBS code in their own projects as long as they obey the guidelines set forth in the GPLv2 license. OBS has no watermarks or other limitations and can be used commercially with no restrictions. So I guess there's nothing wrong with that.

It would depend if Tiktok Editor is legally considered a derivative application or not. If it is, then it's in breach of GPLv2.