Yes we can fork. We can even use the name SAP/DB since we are not using it as a trademark but rather as historical identification name for a non-profit and non-commercial project. It is considered fair use. But god forbid if we try to sell some product under SAP/DB name.
Everything that SAP AG or MySQL AB released under GPL can be forked, modified and redistributed under GPL. We can fork now and merge differences from every new GPL release from SAP/MySQL. There is nothing immoral or illegal about it. Remember, GPL is not about getting profit, it is about getting credit, and if SAP lab. people have their names in SAP/MySQL's source code the will have their names in our distirbution too, in compliance with GPL. Another question is that it is going to be a huge effort to maintain SAP/DB kernel, leave alone add new functionality. There is no such thing as SAP/DB open source community. And SAP/DB is a very complete product, by the way. There will be no outstanding TODO items for another 3 or 5 years. What we can do is to make a fork of SAP/DB kernel. Keep it safe. Update it with every new release. And keep an eye on the licence. As soon as MySQL fails to deliver on promises, we shall step in. Another very important issue is the client library which is licensed under LGPL now and is going to get licensed unde GPL when MySQL AB takes over in fourth quarter 2003. We shall also keep mirrors of client libraries and step in as soon as licence changes. "SAP/DB client library" is a descriptive term so it legal to use it describing a library ti connect to SAP/DB(tm) database, as in "tires to use with General Motors cars". Distributors in USA will need to add footnote like "SAP/DB is a registered trademerk of SAP AG" or something of the kind. Best regards, Nicolai Tufar ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sergio Samayoa" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Janusz Jeczmionka" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Nicolai Tufar" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2003 8:36 PM Subject: RE: GPL again > Just one and simple question: > > Can we fork SAPDB with some new name (such ZAPDB or XAPDB) and bring builds > for free and distribute it for free ? I mean, current sources of kernel, > client access libary, etc, ALL? > > -----Mensaje original----- > De: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] nombre de Janusz Jeczmionka > Enviado el: Jueves, 29 de Mayo de 2003 11:51 a.m. > Para: Nicolai Tufar; Janusz Jeczmionka; [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Asunto: Re: GPL again > > > > > Because all the source code of MySQL belongs to Monty. So > > he can release it under any licence he wants. He does not > > accept any contribution from community. Only if contributor > > wish to give up his/her copyright in favor of Monty, the contribution > > is accepted. > > So what's about SAPDB. It was released under GPL, so it should stay GPL > licensed. It's not his code, isn't it??? > > Janusz > _______________________________________________ > sapdb.general mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://listserv.sap.com/mailman/listinfo/sapdb.general > > _______________________________________________ > sapdb.general mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://listserv.sap.com/mailman/listinfo/sapdb.general > _______________________________________________ sapdb.general mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://listserv.sap.com/mailman/listinfo/sapdb.general
