[ale] OT: GPL Question

[Andrew Grimmke]

It is my understanding that this is the specific reason that the LGPL
was developed.  So that one could use a free library and not be bound by
the GPL. (lesser also stands for library)

Andrew

On Fri, 2002-08-30 at 16:42, Fulton Green wrote:
> The way I understand it ...
> 
> The GPL is "viral". Any software you write that *links*, or binds, with a
> GPL'd library must also become GPL'd.
> 
> OTOH, if the library in question is LGPL'd ("L" = "lesser"), you're not
> obligated to license your code under GPL or LGPL as long as you don't have
> any other similarly viral libs.
> 
> If you were to make a modification to the LGPL'd lib, you would need to
> release your mods to that lib in at least a patchable form (if not the whole
> source tree) along w/your software binaries.
> 
> The GNU C library and the majority of other popular libs are LGPL'd.
> 
> Libraries that are "BSD'd" (i.e., Berkeley-style license) are much less
> viral.
> 
> All this is extreme generalization, so read the licenses carefully and
> consult w/your lawyer before proceeding any further. And it goes w/o saying
> that IANAL.
> 
> On Fri, Aug 30, 2002 at 04:31:39PM -0400, Jeffrey B. Layton wrote:
> >    If I install a piece of software that is licensed under
> > GPL, say a mathematical library, and write my own
> > code that just calls functions within the library (I
> > have not modified the library in any way and do not
> > statically link the library), do I have to license my
> > code under GPL? My initial gut feel is I can license
> > my software any way I want, but this is brewing
> > into a controversary at work and I want to get some
> > input (and any links) before discussing this with the
> > attorneys.
> 
> ---
> This message has been sent through the ALE general discussion list.
> See http://www.ale.org/mailing-lists.shtml for more info. Problems should be 
> sent to listmaster at ale dot org.
> 
> 



---
This message has been sent through the ALE general discussion list.
See http://www.ale.org/mailing-lists.shtml for more info. Problems should be 
sent to listmaster at ale dot org.