In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, David Kastrup <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>> This is interesting, because as I understand it the FSF claims that if >> I distribute code that only works with their libraries (because I use >> their interfaces), then I must distribute my code under the GPL even >> if I don't distribute their libraries. >What _is_ restricted is the distribution of a binary that links the >different codes: that is no longer a "mere aggregation" or an >independent work. It is derivative work. > >So you say: "Big deal, I won't link it then. The customer has to do >it". Now if the only conceivable use of the software _is_ to link it >to a free version of the software, the linking is an integral part of >the whole activity, and the customer does the linking _on_ _behalf_ of >the software producer, in order to complete the deal. Since the >customer is acting on behalf of the producer, it does not actually >matter that the producer does not himself do the assembly: he is still >responsible for it. The case I am thinking of did indeed involve readline. The program was (IIRC) distributed as source but not under the GPL (probably under a non-commercial or educational licence), and the author added an optional readline interface. It seems far from clear that what was distributed constituted a derivative work - has there been a test case? It seems quite plausible that it's the customer who creates the derivative work when he builds the system with readline. Otherwise, surely any program written to use a Windows-specific API would be a derivative work of Windows. Is Aquamacs a derivative work of MacOS X? As far as I know, there is no alternative implementation of Apple's user interface libraries. This theory would also mean that whether something is a derivative work can be changed by the actions of an independent third party. -- Richard -- "Consideration shall be given to the need for as many as 32 characters in some alphabets" - X3.4, 1963. _______________________________________________ gnu-misc-discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss
