% FIXME: does propagate  definition still work the same way in final draft?

The term ``propagate'' serves two purposes.  First, ``propagate'' provides a

simple and convenient means for distinguishing between the kinds of uses of a

work that the GPL imposes conditions on and the kinds of uses that the GPL

does not (for the most part) impose conditions on.

Second, ``propagate'' furthers our goal of making the license as global as

possible in its wording and effect.  When a work is licensed under the GPL,

the copyright law of some particular country will govern certain legal issues

arising under the license.  A term like ``distribute'' or its equivalent in

languages other than English, is used in several national copyright statutes.

The scope of ``distribution'' in the copyright context can differ from

country to country.  The GPL does not seek to necessarily use the specific

meaning of ``distribution'' that exists under United States copyright law or

any other country's copyright law.

Therefore, the GPL defines the term ``propagate'' by reference to activities

that require permission under ``applicable copyright law'', but excludes

execution and private modification from the definition.  GPLv3's definition

also gives examples of activities that may be included within ``propagation''

but it also makes clear that, under the copyright laws of a given country,

``propagation'' may include other activities as well.