On Friday 07 January 2011 15:20:33 Kenneth Gonsalves wrote: > On Fri, 2011-01-07 at 14:18 +0530, jtd wrote: > > > As far I can > > > see the problem would lie in the database structure - I would > > > have to restructure the database to suit django, but that could > > > be interpreted as a copy? > > > > Even if you exactly replicated the db structure, it would not be > > a copy. A database structure would be analogous to a filing > > cabinet. I am am sure nobody could sue me for copying the > > "method" of organising a filing cabinet or the internal > > organisation of the contents in a filing cabinet. > > > > > > In the case of GPL software, reimplementing code is very > > > > clearly not copying. > > > > > > so I can go ahead? > > > > IMO 100% > > cool - anyone on this list who is interested in reimplementing RT > in python/django please contact me offlist - I have a company that > is willing to pay for the work. (only they want BSD licensing, but > I think it is ok as an expert has sanctioned it)
I am not an expert. But I am quite sure that the gpl (or any other copyright licence ) cannot prevent a new implementation, especially in the case of software. In This case you are changing the language itself. IMO more than sufficient to disprove derivation and most certainly only an idiot would allege copying. There is also sufficient precedent for interface reverse engineering, even on patented code (imo patents are far more unforgiving about plagiarism ). IMO you are ok. But as you have mentioned in the next mail, those guys have a legal team, you might as well take their opinion. > -- > regards > KG > http://lawgon.livejournal.com > Coimbatore LUG rox > http://ilugcbe.techstud.org/ -- Rgds JTD -- http://mm.glug-bom.org/mailman/listinfo/linuxers
