On Fri, 16 Mar 2007 11:56:42 +0200 Bernd Jendrissek <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > Hash: SHA1 > > On Thu, Mar 15, 2007 at 03:46:22PM -0400, DJ Delorie wrote: > > > If, however, you embed a GPL'd symbol into a non-GPL'd schematic > > > (or visa-versa), you can no longer distribute that schematic > > > under any terms. But you can still use it locally." > > > > The question becomes more interesting with footprints. Legally, are > > you distributing a work derived from the footprints when you ship a > > populated board? It could be argued either way, but the font > > copyright law is probably our best precedent. > > Or maybe you are doing exactly what you do when you compile your C > program with GCC on a target that doesn't have muldi3 etc. so you end > up with bits of libgcc in your binary. Yes, including the code in > libgcc to produce an executable program is exactly the purpose of > libgcc, but you still needs that exception to be able to include > those bits into a proprietary program (and then to distribute it). > > My personal opinion is that if people want to use gEDA / PCB to design > boards and they are not willing to pass the GPL freedoms onto their > boards' users, then they can damn well do the work of creating their > own parts library! I realize this is a somewhat Stallmanian view and > gEDA / PCB may well care more about gaining a user base than about > locking in freedom. > > Also, if a schematic / layout doesn't work without the symbol library, > then the fact that it *references* symbols instead of *embedding* them > might not really matter in determining if the schematic / layout is a > derived work. This is the whole reason the LGPL even exists - to > allow you to *reference* (link to) interfaces in a library without > getting "infected". Most symbols, especially those generated with scripts, lack creativity needed for copyright. Further, since symbol creation guidelines restrict creativity one can use in symbol creation, these symbols seriously lack creativity. Would two people come up with exact same symbols if they would be given same datasheets and guidelines to use in symbol creation? I think more important question is, what sources were used for symbol creation. And no, I'm not a lawyer. -- Aapo Tahkola _______________________________________________ geda-dev mailing list [email protected] http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-dev
