Re: About GPL and proprietary software

On Tue, 2003-09-02 at 10:39, Gianni Mariani wrote:
> Ron Johnson wrote:
>
> >On Tue, 2003-09-02 at 08:52, Jonathan Bartlett wrote:
> >
> >
> >>I think the main issue in dynamic linking is whether or not you used the
> >>GPL headers.  If you did, then you are in fact combining your work with a
> >>GPL work.  If you did not, then how is one to know _which_ library you are
> >>linking against.   It could be the GPL library, but it could also be any
> >>other library which exports the same symbols.  If I link to Motif, I am
> >>not obliging myself to the GPL just because Lesstif exists.
> >>
> >>
> >
> >Exactly.  If you use GPL headers, then you are tying (i.e. "linking"
> >in the grammatical sense) yourself to that GPL software, and *that*
> >would mean that you must GPL your own software.
> >
> >
>
> Would that mean that any software compiled with GCC that uses standard
> headers and released commercially is now under the GPL ?
>
> Hence BSD and other free licences ?
>
> There is a huge body of code that this applies to that is not deemed
> covered by the GPL today and they're going to be awfully upset if you're
> right.

Well, fortunately, IANAL, so if I'm wrong, I can blame it on that.

--
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ron Johnson, Jr. ron.l.johnson@cox.net
Jefferson, LA USA

"My advice to you is to get married: If you find a good wife,
you will be happy; if not, you will become a philosopher."
Socrates