> See the bottom of sec. 2 of the GPL: > > In addition, mere aggregation of another work not based on the > Program with the Program (or with a work based on the Program) on a > volume of a storage or distribution medium does not bring the other > work under the scope of this License. > > I believe Linux distributions qualify as "mere aggregation", and thus there > is no requirement for all of the separate software packages making up a > distribution to be licensed under the GPL.
Already seen it. This is a stock phrase to cover such eventualities as Linux just happening to be included on a CD-ROM (e.g. on the front of a magazine) with other types of software. Such distributions of programs that really _are_ unrelated are quite common. 2(b) is quite clear - if so much as a single line of 'the Progam' (macro, source book, etc.) is used in another product, then that product comes under the GPL: "b) You must cause any work that you distribute or publish, that in whole or in part contains or is derived from the Program or any part thereof, to be licensed as a whole at no charge to all third parties under the terms of this License." -- Phil Payne The Devil's IT Dictionary - last updated 2002/01/20: http://www.isham-research.com/dd.html UK +44 7785 302803 Germany +49 173 6242039
