On Sun, Mar 24, 2002 at 11:03:21AM -0600, David Frascone wrote: > I don't think so. If we don't *require* openssl, or ever even point to how > to download it, then we're not recommending it's usage either. But, if it > happens to be distributed with the OS, we will detect and use it. I *do* > think that will keep the licenses free from question.
Just consider the intent of the license (GPL). The intention is that you can have the source code to the entire program, including the C library. (On proprietary systems that isn't feasible, so there's a specific exemption for libraries supplied with the system.) And then you must be able to modify the program for your own use and distribute your changes, also licensed with the GPL, as you see fit. If you consider run-time linking of libraries as acceptable, then anyone is free to write plug-ins or new code for Ethereal for which they won't distribute the source - which violates the intent of the license. As free software authors we should not be trying to evade a free software license - especially the license of the product we are working on! > But, then again, I'm *not* a lawyer. Me neither. Hamish -- Hamish Moffatt VK3SB <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
