On Thu, Jan 03, 2002 at 06:29:50PM -0800, Thomas Bushnell, BSG wrote: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > > If a library's interface is implemented to a standard or similar, > > than someone linking to a GPL library version should be alright, no? > > No. Actually linking to the GPL'd library is not allowed if you are > doing so from non-GPL-compatible code. > >
The GPL is written to specifically prevent someone who would normally have to modify or copy parts of a non-library GPL'ed program's source(and thus releasing the changes under the GPL), instead turn parts of it into a GPL'ed library(effectivly copying,but perfectly fine) making any "changes/additions" outside the once non-library code and releasing the final product where the intent is clearly to copy GPL code and use it in a non-GPL compatible program. Here the fact that the code is now a library form is merely a technicality. So linking must be considered forming a derived product, and forbidden. If an author chooses to release he code under the GPL he states his intent that the code cannot be used under programs with non-GPLed licenses. If the author wants to allow this specifically, then the author shoud use the LGPL. Philip Thiem
