Unfortunately this appears to be the case, which is possibly a shame as we have a bunch of plug-in dissectors we would willingly release for free download, but it would be a cold day in hell before our lawyers agreed to release the source code, even though I doubt there's anything of proprietry value in there.
-- Martin Jaap Keuter wrote the following on 07/11/2007 06:16 PM: > Hi, > > Actually I disagree ;) > > From reading below the question is "is it an independent and separate > work"? The GNU FAQ says its not: > http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#GPLAndPlugins > > Thanx, > Jaap > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote on 07/11/2007 10:45:27 AM: >> >>> No, you can't keep the code for you nor limit the distribution of the >>> plugin object code. It is the basic principle of the GPL. If you're >>> distributing/selling your plugin, you have to distribute the code. And >>> everyone receiving (paying for) this code may distribute it again and >>> again ... without your permission :) >> Actually, I'd dissagree. With GPL v2, there is a clause that a >> developer can invoke if they write their code appropriately, >> and if the 'infrastructure' can support it. >> >> GPL 2 Section 2 paragraph 2, 3 and 4 cover this aspect. >> (Note GPL v3, no longer appears to have these clauses.) >> >> Basically... >> a) if the infrastructure can support 3rd party code invoked >> dynamically at run time, and >> b) if the infrastructure does not 'depend' on the 3rd party >> code for its operation, and >> c) if your code is not statically linked with GPL'ed code >> >> then you can release a binary-only version of your code without >> providing source. >> >> So to paraphrase: >> - if Wireshark isn't linked with your code, and >> - Wireshark can still function without your code, and >> - your code isn't linked to GPL'ed code, and >> - someone can replace your code with an equivalent (but seperately >> developed) module >> then your OK. >> >> FYI. Those paragraphs state: >> >> "These requirements apply to the modified work as a whole. >> If identifiable sections of that work are not derived from >> the Program, and can be reasonably considered independent >> and separate works in themselves, then this License, and >> its terms, do not apply to those sections when you distribute >> them as separate works. But when you distribute the same >> sections as part of a whole which is a work based on the >> Program, the distribution of the whole must be on the terms >> of this License, whose permissions for other licensees extend >> to the entire whole, and thus to each and every part >> regardless of who wrote it. >> >> Thus, it is not the intent of this section to claim rights or >> contest your rights to work written entirely by you; rather, >> the intent is to exercise the right to control the distribution >> of derivative or collective works based on the Program.\ >> >> 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." >> >> >>> Jon Andersen wrote: >>>> I'm concerned about the requirements of the GPLv2 license. >>>> >>>> If I write a plugin for Wireshark, which compiles to a plugin DLL only, >>>> and then I distribute the plugin DLL, am I required by the GPL license >>>> to distribute the source (and for anyone I distribute it to, they can >>>> redistribute the source even if I don't want them to)? >>>> >>>> I'm wondering if I can legally distribute only the plugin DLL (and >> limit >>>> the distribution of it), and not distribute the source at all. > > _______________________________________________ > Wireshark-dev mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.wireshark.org/mailman/listinfo/wireshark-dev > ��������������������������������������������jy�u�����U����2�צ�m���� > �rV�j��z�b��,� ڶ�V���]jם�g�&�u�^����m4 ---------------------------------------------------------- Scanned by ClamAV antivirus system - http://www.clamav.net Virus signatures last updated: Wed Jul 11 18:33:21 2007 _______________________________________________ Wireshark-dev mailing list [email protected] http://www.wireshark.org/mailman/listinfo/wireshark-dev
