[ gpsdrive ] License of map icons

[Hamish]

Julian Stacey wrote:
> Chuckle. The curse of GPL.  Needs reading & re-reading often to be
> sure what it means.  There's more opinions/ interpretations  on GPL
> than sand grains in a desert ;-) Only way is to read & re-read
> yourself till sure yourself :-)

It's really not that hard. In my previous post I spoke to the cost and benefits
to both parties. That is really the crux of it.

> An example might suggest your interpretation may be over strict
> though: http://FreeBSD.ORG (& NetBSD & OpenBSD & .... ) (Not GPL'd)
> have embedded FSF's GPL'd GCC for over a decade.

No, the interpretation was correct, if GPL icons are embedded in a program the
program must be GPL too (upon release to the public).

Two things.
1) You are allowed to release GPL programs along side non-GPL programs. They
just cannot form a single program. The difference between the OS and stuff that
comes with it is spoken to in the license. In this way it doesn't matter to BSD
if gcc is GPL or not. Only if they start changing the compiler program do they
have to worry about releasing those changes to the compiler program. It is not
part of the kernel.

2) glibc uses a special version of the GPL (ie the LGPL) allowing you to link
non-free stuff with it. ISTR the gcc license has a further statement saying
that just because you used the compiler does not mean the result is
automatically GPL. In this way gcc becomes a special exception to the GPL.


the GPL FAQ on the GNU website is very very good.


Hamish



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