jurassic pork <[email protected]> wrote: > grub is a gpl v2 software , as i understand (may be it is wrong) i can use it > in a commercial application only if the application is distributed with all > the sources and must become GPL.
No, that's not usually the case - it's one of those "facts" that gets spread around (typically by those with an agenda against free and open software). If you statically link your code with GPL software such that you end up with one object, AND you distribute that object, then you need to comply with the GPL for the combined object. But if you are wanting to use Grub, then it will most likely end up as a standalone program on your system - and thus you can use it without having to make other parts of your system comply with GPL. What you will need to do is comply with the GPL for those programs that are under GPL - which means providing the required information somewhere in the documentation and "making the source available". This really only means providing a notice that there are GPL programs incorporated in the system, with instructions where to find the licence and further information. If you use un-modified versions (eg from a standard distribution) then I believe you don't even need to provide the source yourself, it's sufficient to direct the user to where they can download it. For example, Apple use a load of open source software (some of it GPL) in OS X, while the system as a whole is not open - they list it at http://www.apple.com/opensource/ There's more infor on the GPL here : https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html IN particular, you probably want these two items : https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#GPLAndNonfreeOnSameMachine https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#GPLInProprietarySystem > The commercial application is for only one client ( not a public application). That's still "distributing" it - but you are only required to provide any sources to the one client to provide the package to. > i would like to use grub only in a part of the application to build bootable > usb with winpe to install wim customized windows 7 client image on different > types of PC. AIUI, this is OK. _______________________________________________ Help-grub mailing list [email protected] https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/help-grub
