> My java project include the xmlrpc-1.1.jar, so it also includes MinML, > which has a BSD-like license. > > Can I release and distribute my project under the GNU-GPL license ? > > Can I apply the GNU-GPL to my own code and ship it in a tar.gz > including xmlrpc-1.1.jar ? > > In that case, can I say "myproject is GNU GPL licensed" ?
Disclaimer: I am not a laywer, I am a coder. This is not legal advice. Note that the Apache license is not the same as the GNU GPL. Since you want to release under the GPL, check out the FSF's licencing page: http://www.fsf.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html In particular: http://www.fsf.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#MereAggregation -- Quote -- What is the difference between "mere aggregation" and "combining two modules into one program"? [snip] What constitutes combining two parts into one program? [snip] If modules are designed to run linked together in a shared address space, that almost surely means combining them into one program. --End Quote-- Java certainally runs loads and executes classes in the same address space. So, this would imply that releasing a project containing non-GPL code under the GPL is going to be difficult. Furthermore, the Apache licence for the XML-RPC code contains the following clause. From a random source file in the XML-RPC project: --Quote-- * 3. The end-user documentation included with the redistribution, * if any, must include the following acknowledgment: * "This product includes software developed by the * Apache Software Foundation (http://www.apache.org/)." * Alternately, this acknowledgment may appear in the software itself, * if and wherever such third-party acknowledgments normally appear. --End Quote-- Consider this in the context of the compatibility of the original BSD license and the GPL. http://www.fsf.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#OrigBSD --Quote-- Why is the original BSD license incompatible with the GPL? Because it imposes a specific requirement that is not in the GPL; namely, the requirement on advertisements of the program. The GPL states: You may not impose any further restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein. The advertising clause provides just such a further restriction, and thus is GPL-incompatible. The revised BSD license does not have the advertising clause, which eliminates the problem.' --End Quote-- So it would seem that you can't re-release Apache code under the GPL. If you are using a significant amount of Apache licensed code in your project, consider using the Apache license, or a similar one. In any case, the MinML license would have to be brought up with the license holder (whom I believe is on this list). Andrew.
