is it a GPL violation or not ?

Frank Heckenbach frank at g-n-u.de
Sat Aug 24 20:17:53 UTC 2002


Jerome Alet wrote:

> On Sat, Aug 24, 2002 at 08:59:50PM +0200, Frank Heckenbach wrote:
> > Bernhard Reiter wrote:
> > 
> > > If they only distribute their part (under that non-free license
> > > you've stated) then they do not immedeatly violate the GNU GPL.
> > > However nobody is allowed to link it to your library. 
> > 
> > They are allowed to link it, but not to distribute the result.
> 
> Thanks to all who answered so far.
> 
> In fact what they said to me when we talked about it some months ago
> is that there's no problem since they never distribute software
> they have not written, i.e. they only distribute their software, and
> never distribute mine.
> 
> If I understand correctly what you wrote, they can distribute their
> software under their non-free license, but nobody is legally allowed
> to run it since they can't link to my library which is absolutely 
> needed technically.

They can run it, but not distribute it. ("The act of running the
Program is not restricted").

Frank

-- 
Frank Heckenbach, frank at g-n-u.de
http://fjf.gnu.de/
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