Please also take a look at this: http://www.gnu.org/software/classpath/. The authors intend and believe that the exception granted allows that code so licensed "can be used to run free as well as proprietary applications and applets." I have spoken with Nic Ferrier about this license exception. They specifically intend for it to remove any viral implications related to their binary distribution, and redistribution, and they believe that it does so.
In the specific case, this is related to the service provider example, so I am only concerned about the permissible use of their binary jars.
+1 - if Classpath license is found to be compatible, this will solve a lot
of problems, as they provide alternative implementation for JNDI and many other APIs.
I think this particular one deserves special attention !
Certainly we need an official reading on this, but Classpath is specifically licensed as GPL, the least compatible open-source license out there (not even a murkier LGPL). The Classpath author adds an addendum to allow bundling of this library into an executable, but that still won't allow us to distribute jars in CVS or downloadable with source builds (never mind Java doesn't have executables). ibiblio would still be in violation of the license, as would CVSWeb, CVS, and anything that allowed these Jars to be downloaded independently.
I don't get these GPL people who license their work as GPL, but don't want the viral aspect... The fact that they don't understand the implications of their licensing decision doesn't make us any less liable to use it. If a commercial EULA had a clause that the company then stated they didn't intend, if they don't reissue the code with a different license, the original license is still enforceable.
-- Serge Knystautas President Lokitech >> software . strategy . design >> http://www.lokitech.com p. 301.656.5501 e. [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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