Well I think the licence rules of MySQL are not that comlicated than you wrote below.
I studied this a few month ago, and I interpret it much simplier.
1. You develop a software under GPL which uses MySQL (connects to, includes, uses, etc. whatever).
In this case you don't need any licence for MySQL, of course.
2. You develop a commercial application (and you do not distribute the source code of it).
In this case you have two choices depending on your application.
a) Your application needs the MySQL server, because it is a database handler application.
In this case you have to buy licence(s), but it is not you, who has to buy it. Your purchaser is the one who has to do this if he wants to use your application.
b) Your application CAN use MySQL server as an alternative SQL server, but is is able to use other(s), too. For example, your application can use MySQL and PostgreSQL and MS SQL for the same task as alternatives.
In this case your purchaser don't need to buy any MySQL licence to use it.
So this is how I interpret the licence stategy of MySQL AB. Please correct me if i have mistaken in something.
Bye,
Daniel
At 10:41 2002.12.11.dø+0200, you wrote:
Hi all, First I want to say I am a MySQL fan.I think MySQL AB interpretation of GPL creates confusion too. Do they intend to crete and keep alive this confusion ? What for?... Let me show you something taken from "MySQL Reference Manual for version 4.0.2-alpha" "You can use the MySQL software for free under the GPL: ..... * When you distribute the MySQL source code bundled with other programs that are not linked to or dependent on MySQL Server for their functionality even if you sell the distribution commercially. ...." Consider the following exaples: PROGRAM1 EMBEDS_MySQL { do things ....... } 2) PROGRAM2 { CONECT_TO_MySQL ...... } where: CONNECT_TO_MySQL = querying MySQL using it's user interfaces. EMBEDS_MySQL = linking to MySQL, depends on MySQL ... anything but CONNECT_TO MYSQL. I thing PROGRAM1 must be distributet under GPL but PROGRAM2 can be distributed with any license. I may be wrong but I think MySQL ab doesn't say clearly( at least in the user's manual) what I just said above. More than that, reading the manual creates me the impresion that I must distribute the PROGRAM2 under GPL( this also is not explicitly said). Of course, they can define MySQL as a "system" insted of defining it as a "database engine". This way, doing anything with MySQL, even just CONNECTING_TO_MYSQL, the result is a new system( MySQL+my PROGRAM2) that should be released under GPL. This definitoin of MySQL would be just a joke (define and give me the source codes of your system). Why MySQL AB does not try to explicitly define what the words "dependent on MySQL" mean? Do they want to create confusion? Again, what for? --------------------------------------------------------------------- Before posting, please check: http://www.mysql.com/manual.php (the manual) http://lists.mysql.com/ (the list archive) To request this thread, e-mail <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, e-mail <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Trouble unsubscribing? Try: http://lists.mysql.com/php/unsubscribe.php
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