On 29 Jun 2002 01:46:00 +0400, Ilya Martynov wrote:
> >>>>> On Fri, 28 Jun 2002 16:38:25 -0500, Stephen Clouse
> >>>>> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> said:
>
> SC> On Fri, Jun 28, 2002 at 01:09:21PM +0100, Peter Haworth wrote:
> >> The GPL doesn't restrict use, only distribution.
>
> SC> I believe you need to read it again. Its whole purpose of
> SC> existence is to restrict use by non-free software. Link GPL code
> SC> into your non-free app at your own risk.
>
> AFAIK it is OK as long as you do not distribute the result.
Admittedly, it has been some time since I read it. However, I've just done
so. Here are some quotes:
> 0. Activities other than copying, distribution and modification are not
> covered by this License; they are outside its scope. The act of running
> the Program is not restricted, and the output from the Program is covered
> only if its contents constitute a work based on the Program
Running the program, and it's output are not restricted. Otherwise, everything
compiled by gcc would be under GPL, which it isn't.
> 2. You may modify your copy or copies of the Program or any portion of it,
> thus forming a work based on the Program, and copy and distribute such
> modifications or work under the terms of Section 1 above, provided that
> you also meet all of these conditions:
> b) You must cause any work that you distribute or publish, that in whole
> or in part contains or is derived from the Program or any part thereof,
> to be licensed as a whole at no charge to all third parties under the
> terms of this License.
This is the only condition in section 2 which mentions distribution. It doesn't
say you have to distribute; only what applies if you do.
These are from the GPL FAQ:
> A system incorporating a GPL-covered program is an extended version of
> that program. The GPL says that any extended version of the program must
> be released under the GPL if it is released at all.
But from my reading (which could be wrong, of course), it doesn't say that
you have to release it.
> What the GPL requires is that [someone with a copy of a GPL'ed program]
> must have the freedom to distribute a copy to you if he wishes to.
--
Peter Haworth [EMAIL PROTECTED]
"Who is General Failure and why is he reading my disk?"
