Thibaut Cousin quotes: > If QT is distributed as part of a (Linux) distribution then the GPL > grants an exception to allow redistribution of GPLed code linked with > QT. (See the special exception part of clause 3 of the GPL).
It isn't sufficient for the library to be part of the distribution. It must be part of the operating system. Emacs is part of Debian, but it certainly is not part of the operating system. > See the special exception part of clause 3 of the GPL Here it is: However, as a special exception, the source code distributed need not include anything that is normally distributed (in either source or binary form) with the major components (compiler, kernel, and so on) of the operating system on which the executable runs, unless that component itself accompanies the executable. Clearly, this was aimed at the proprietary system libraries on OS's such as Solaris. It wouldn't apply even if Qt was a Debian system library, because of the bit about the component accompanying the executable. Debian has two seperate problems with KDE. a) GPL'd software not originally intended for use with Qt was modified to use Qt. This infringes the original author's copyright and software modified in this way may not be distributed without written permission from the original author. Debian will not distribute these parts of KDE until this permission is granted. b) Software written for use with Qt was released under the GPL without an added clause granting permission to link it to Qt. It is Debian's official position that such software is licensed under conflicting terms and so cannot be distributed. IMO Debian is wrong about this: the author has clearly granted implicit permission by designing the software to require Qt. The appropriate list for this discussion is debian-legal. -- John Hasler [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dancing Horse Hill Elmwood, Wisconsin
