The Oslo, Norway-based embedded Linux and development tool vendor is releasing its Qt application development platform for Windows under the open source GNU General Public License for the first time with version 4.0, scheduled for release in the second quarter.
The GPL release will bring Qt for Windows in line with Qt for Linux and Mac OS X, both of which are available under the GPL for open source developers, as well as a commercial license for developers that want to license their developments commercially.
The dual license approach has been adopted by a number of second generation open source software suppliers, including open source database provider, MySQL AB, as a means of serving the needs of both commercial and open source developers, and generating license income.
According to Trolltech, Windows is already the most popular development platform for its Qt C++ development framework, with Linux a close second. Qt for Windows has been available under a commercial license since 1995.
The company said the commercial success of Qt on Windows had enabled it to expand its dual license approach and begin to fulfill the increasing demand for open source technologies on Windows.
