On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 01:47:48 -0500 Barry Margolin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, > Don Parris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > I just want to clarify my understanding here. If this bit confuses you, > > please be patient with me - I might be the one confused. ;) > > > > I have a database design - no code yet. I need to determine whether the > > GPL will be appropriate or not for this situation. The GPL is my > > preferred license, but it may not be appropriate in this case. I assume > > that the GPL would only apply to the actual code, and not to the design > > of the database > > IANAL, but I believe that's correct. The GPL is enforced by copyright, > and copyright only applies to code, not the ideas that the code > implements. > > > itself. If this is true, then it might be possible to offer a GPL'ed > > implementation and another implementation under a different license. > > You can even do that with the *same* implementation. You can license it > to one party under the GPL, and license it to another party under a > different license. Each party would be obliged to obey the license they > received. > > > I designed the database at home, but want to have the opportunity to > > implement it at my job, which will require the use of MS Access. If I > > could offer the back-end using PostgreSQL or MySQL (or something > > similar), and then let them build a front-end using Access, that would > > be different. I do not foresee that happening any time soon. > > > > I will have to create the complete database using MS Access for the job. > > > > The home-based version would use one of the free/open source databases. > > Any input is welcome. > > You'd better confirm with your employer that the code you wrote at home > is yours to do with as you wish. Many employment agreements have a > non-compete clause that says that anything you implement that's within > the scope of the company's business belongs to them, even if you do it > on your own time. > Thanks for your input. Given my employer is in the wallboard industry, and I am designing this for a completely different industry (whose services they do use), I should think I'm o.k. Still, I will ensure that I am in the clear. Implementing the design will give me two basic lessons: (1) the feasibility of using such a database on a larger scale, and (2) a better understanding of the design and development process in a controlled environment. Regards, Don -- evangelinux GNU Evangelist http://matheteuo.org/ http://chaddb.sourceforge.net/ "Free software is like God's love - you can share it with anyone anytime anywhere." _______________________________________________ Gnu-misc-discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss
