🚀 go-pugleaf

Rob Hughes <rob@robhughes.com> writes:

> Rat Tank is alleged to have said in comp.os.linux.advocacy:
> 
> <Probably false situation snipped>
> 
> >     The problem is this; GNU readline being fully GPLed. On release,
> > we'd have to GPL our entire product due to the 'viral' nature of the
> > GPL.
> 
> No, you don't. You should try reading the actual GPL instead of MS'
> FUD on the subject. Using GPL code in no way requires you to
> "release your entire product" as source. The only thing you're
> required to release is any patches or changes you make to
> readline. If you just call into readline from your software, you
> aren't required to release anything except readline.

Wrong.  You are confusing the GPL with the LGPL.

> From http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html :
> 
> 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*.

A program that uses readline as its input layer can't be considered
independent of readline.

> 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.

I think this should be unambiguous enough.

> Nothing in the GPL requires you to give your software away. You're
> perfectly free to license the code you write in any way you desire,
> with the exception of the GPL'ed code you've included.

Problems with your reading comprehension?  While you need not give
your software away for free, you have to licence everything which
contains readline as an essential part under the GPL.  You can ask
any amount you want, but the licence must be GPL.

> In other words, if you write the core app, without which the GPL'ed
> code is useless, then license that for whatever you can get from it.

If the core app is "useless" without readline, the licence must be
GPL.  Ask any price you want, but the licence must be GPL.

Followup to gnu.misc.discuss.

-- 
David Kastrup, Kriemhildstr. 15, 44793 Bochum