Do licenses for source code have an affect on object code/end product?
<p>There are various licenses for source code to be licensed under. On the Stack Exchange network, Creative Common's cc-by-sa 3.0 is used. Does this really only apply to the source code? Does this mean an individual can copy the source code, possibly change it, compile it and distribute the object code or executable?</p>

<p>In other words, as long as the source code is not distributed, can anyone do anything they like with the compiled code that used the source code licensed under viral or restrictive licensing? I've never heard of a program itself being licensed under GPL or CC etc.?</p>

<p>If I give you some source code, then any product created by using that source code is derived from my source code. It is up to me to decide whether you are allowed to create derived works, and/or to distribute either my source code or derived works, and under which conditions. </p>

<p>If you receive source code covered by the GPL license, then you are allowed (by the license) to create derived works, for example by compiling a program including that source code or a modified version of that source code. The GPL license allows you to distribute such a program, but only if you provide the complete source code, you have several choices how exactly that source code is provided. </p>

copyright software licensing