2.  Can ASF Projects use GPL/LGPL Projects?

Yes.  But, they cannot distribute them.

ASF projects can use GPL/LGPL code during the build process so long as there is no runtime dependency in the code produced. Programs like checkstyle are OK. Imports of classes covered by GPL/LGPL are not. This last statement needs to be interpreted as a transitive closure. Moving graph from jakarta commons sandbox to werken would not make it OK for Maven to use graph.

I would like some rationale on this. For one, I'm not buying the "import" idea. Why? Well I just built HTTPD against the glibc which is also LGPL. The #ifdef #includes make specific allowances for Linux and hence I don't buy that these are "common names for C libaries".

While IANAL, the LGPL, as it was explained to me, does not apply unless you directly modify the source of the LGPL library. Meaning if I imported checkstyle, I'd be fine (thats just linking and explicitly allowed), if I go and change even one class, that is not allowed.

What I'd like clarification on is:

1. Is this the result of legal advice?
2. Is this simply a policy decision?
3. Why is it not evenly applied across all Apache projects?
(most specifically HTTPD)

-Andy



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