On 05 April 2006 16:41, Bernhard R. Link wrote: > * Dave Korn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [060405 16:19]: >> However if Microchip have written their own entirely new linker scripts, >> they hold the copyright and may license them however they please. > > Unless they are used to compile the derivative of gcc. If they are they are > most likely "scripts used to control compilation and installation of the > executable" and thus need to be available under GPL-compatible terms.
Yes, agreed; I was speaking under the assumption (which I didn't check first, naughty me!) that the scripts are for end-users to link the end-user applications that they have compiled /with/ the supplied gcc; it's very common practice to supply custom linker scripts with these toolchains for small embedded hardware boards. If not, then indeed, as you point out, they would be part of the gcc compile infrastructure, and the GPL would apply to them for the same reason it does to the makefiles and configure scripts. Thanks for pointing out the missed assumption in my post! cheers, DaveK -- Can't think of a witty .sigline today....