Hi, Joachim has just drawn my attention to this report.
I am the original developer of the MySQL driver, and it was originally my decision to license it under the GPL. I'm also director of WebThing, and a member of the Apache Software Foundation (though not, in this message, speaking in an official capacity). I'm not dogmatic about the licensing, and I'd be happy for it to change if it helps, subject to the constraints of the other licenses involved. Originally I'd have been more dogmatic about it, because apr_dbd_mysql released under the Apache license seems to risk undermining MySQL's GPL rights, and I didn't want to be responsible for that. However, MySQL AB has made it clear that they are happy to live with that: indeed, they explicitly name APR and the Apache license at http://www.mysql.com/company/legal/licensing/foss-exception.html So the sticking point is no longer the GPL, but rather ASF policy, which does not permit us to distribute anything that would impose restrictions on our users, over and above those in the Apache License. The ASF takes the view that to take advantage of MySQL's exception risks leaving our users in limbo. That clearly doesn't apply to Debian: your primary license is after all the GPL. A quick google reveals that some Linux distros have apr_dbd_mysql as a separate (RPM) package, and have presumably built apr-util to enable dynamic loading of a DBD driver. This seems to me an excellent solution. I hope Debian will see a way to make this available for your users. If I can help, please ask. -- Nick Kew Application Development with Apache - the Apache Modules Book http://www.apachetutor.org/ -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
