Hi, honestly, we can probably discuss ages about licensing and what makes sense or not, I think, none of the FAQs cited really answers the questions we have, which are:
1. does GPL apply to dynamic linking -> yes, it applies, else the LGPL wouldn't be needed for Java - see http://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl-java.html, C/C++ also knows dynamic linking and it applies there. 2. is it OK to keep GPLv2+ with Apache 2.0 because anyone can upgrade to GPLv3, which is compatible? -> I answer no because it would be like someone in the train having his unstamped ticket and telling the train supervisor that he was about to stamp it. At the end, as explained to me by a friend judge, you can get all kind of more or less robust legal advice, it's always a jury which decides what's correct, so it's only about limiting risk. It's a bit of effort to upgrade from GPLv2+ to GPLv3+ but what should be the real drawback? And we're then on the safe side. Anyway, Dimitry's communication was mostly out of politeness, to keep you informed about what we're doing with what is still partly your code. You don't need to follow us. Hope this clarifies the situation. Eric On 30/11/10 10:03, Dan Polansky wrote: > Hello Dimitry, > > the hyperlinks that you have posted do not seem to speak of FreeMind > licensing situation. > > The links posted by you: > > 1. Can I release a non-free program that's designed to load a > GPL-covered plug-in? > http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#NFUseGPLPlugins > Note: FreeMind is not a non-free program that is designed to load a > GPL-covered plugin. > > 2. Can I write free software that uses non-free libraries? > http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#FSWithNFLibs > Note: FreeMind is not free software that uses non-free libraries. > > The question from GNU FAQ that does seem to cover FreeMind situation is this: > > 3. What legal issues come up if I use GPL-incompatible libraries with > GPL software? > http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#GPLIncompatibleLibs > Note: FreeMind does link to libraries that are incompatible with GPL > V2, yet compatible with GPL V3. > > Let us, for the purpose of the following argument, pessimistically > assume that dynamic linking is permeable to GPL requirements. Under > this assumption, what I have written about plugins still holds true: > > A person who compiles FreeMind without plugins can take advantage of > GPL V2 license, which is part of GPL V2+. > > The standardly distributed maximum version of FreeMind in effect makes > use of GPL V3 license, which is part of GPL V2+. > > Thus, I currently see no licensing problem in FreeMind that would > require change from GPL V2+ to GPL V3+. > > Best regards, > Dan > > > On Mon, Nov 29, 2010 at 11:10 PM, Dimitry Polivaev<[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Hello Dan, >> >> look here: >> >> http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#NFUseGPLPlugins >> http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#FSWithNFLibs >> >> Best regards, >> Dimitry >> >>> Hello Dimitry >>> >>> is this a good idea? FreeMind can be compiled also without being >>> dynamically linked to the libraries >>> licensed under Apache 2.0. FreeMind max version relies on GPL V2+ >>> containing GPL V3. The source code >>> of FreeMind itself can still be licensed also under GPL V2 apart from being >>> licensed under GPL V3+ >>> without violating any license (GPL V2+ = GPL V2 plus GPL V3+). I am also >>> not clear about whether >>> dynamic linking in Java is permeable to GPL requirements. >>> >>> Best regards, >>> Dan >>> >>> >>> On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 3:34 PM, Dimitry >>> Polivaev<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>> >>> Hello, >>> >>> because Freeplane plug-ins and the distribution depends on some >>> libraries licensed under Apache 2.0 >>> and GPL 3, we are going to change the project license to "GPL version >>> 3 or later". Because the same >>> basically apply to FreeMind too, I write to the FreeMind list before >>> actual implementing the >>> changes. >>> >>> Kind regards, >>> Dimitry >>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Increase Visibility of Your 3D Game App & Earn a Chance To Win $500! Tap into the largest installed PC base & get more eyes on your game by optimizing for Intel(R) Graphics Technology. Get started today with the Intel(R) Software Partner Program. Five $500 cash prizes are up for grabs. http://p.sf.net/sfu/intelisp-dev2dev _______________________________________________ Freemind-developer mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freemind-developer
