Jeff Vogt wrote:
> I am probably going to make my FreenetGUI project under the GPL but am not
> sure about how it uses the VB runtimes from M$... Does anyone know about
> how the GPL covers files used by the program but not written by the
> programmer?
That's a tricky one. I've seen many conflicting opinions on the matter,
but never an obvious conclusion. The problem is this:
--
3. You may copy and distribute the Program (or a work based on it, under
Section 2) in object code or executable form under the terms of Sections
1 and 2 above provided that you also do one of the following:
a) Accompany it with the complete corresponding machine-readable
source code, which must be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and
2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,
[..snip..]
The source code for a work means the preferred form of the work for
making modifications to it. For an executable work, complete source code
means all the source code for all modules it contains, plus any
associated interface definition files, plus the scripts used to control
compilation and installation of the executable. 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.
--
If the VB Runtimes count amongst "anything that is normally distributed
.. with the major components .. of the operating system", then you
should be able to use the GPL. However, this clause is obviously
oriented towards operating systems which include a compiler and
libraries as part of their normal distribution.
--
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