Hi all, A question about linking non-free programs to GPL; specifically, about what 'linking' specifically means. I'm specifically referring to a (hypothetical) program which requires the mysql server.
The mysql server is GPL. The proprietary program implements its own mysql client to connect to the server; it doesn't link against the mysql client code (which is also GPL). The mysql.com web site says you require a commercial license for the mysql server (ie you cannot use it under the GPL) if (among other reasons): "You have a commercial application that ONLY works with MySQL and ships the application with the MySQL server. This is because we view this as linking even if it is done over the network." Is that a fair definition of linking? (Note that the above clause is only on the web site, and isn't actually added to the GPL they use for the mysql server software itself.) The GPL FAQ seems to imply that if you keep the proprietary and GPL components at "arm's length", like a compiler and the kernel, or an editor and the shell, that's OK. See http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl-faq.html#GPLInProprietarySystem What if the application bundled MySQL but could also connect to other SQL servers, such as Oracle or MS SQL? thanks Hamish -- Hamish Moffatt VK3SB <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
