On Mon, 2 Aug 2004 01:35:44 -0700, Jeremy Zawodny <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > On Mon, Jul 26, 2004 at 01:26:15PM -0500, gerald_clark wrote: > > > > Steve Richter wrote: > > > > >exactly! Is Linux distributed under the same type of license as MySql? If > > >I sell software that runs on linux I dont have to give away my code, right? > > >To use my software you first have to install no charge Linux and MySql. Why > > >would that not be permitted? > > > > Because the MySQL license does not allow you to use it free with > > commercial software that requires MySQL. If you are running > > commercial software that requires MySQL you must buy a license. > > And this is where the confusion start. MySQL is covered by the GPL. > So is Linux.
As far as the server goes, sure. However there is a key difference in that APIs such as glibc on Linux are licensed under the LGPL. The mysql client libraries used to be the same way, then they changed them to be under the GPL. This means that, according to the most common interpretation of the GPL, just linking with them automatically requires your code be under the GPL. Does this still apply to, say, Java code where you are using the standard JDBC interface? How about if you use mysql specific SQL calls? I would suggest perhaps not, but it isn't a simple question. So, for example, you could not sell an application under terms not compatible with the GPL and include the mysql client drivers. Even selling an application that is linked against them, but requires the user to get them themselves, is arguably not permitted. You can go read the FSF's FAQ for their interpretation, but that is just their interpretation. However, remember the GPL only covers copying, distribution, and modification. Not use. Also note that MySQL AB allows an exception designed for the client libraries to be more compatible with other open source licenses: http://dev.mysql.com/doc/mysql/en/MySQL_FOSS_License_Exception.html I believe that MySQL AB is deliberately vague and confusing on their licensing page to try to get people to buy mysql licenses. All their words there don't matter though, what matters is the actual license. It would, however, be nice if their commentary were a bit closer to the reality of what the GPL means. -- MySQL General Mailing List For list archives: http://lists.mysql.com/mysql To unsubscribe: http://lists.mysql.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]
