Hello Crispin, On 08/09/2015 14:10, Crispin Cooper wrote: > Hi qgis-developers, > I produce my own network analysis software sDNA (www.cardiff.ac.uk/sdna > <http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/sdna>). It currently runs as a plugin for > ArcGIS or Autocad, from the command line, with a standalone GUI, or > through a Python API. > We would like to create a QGIS plugin that allows people to use sDNA > from inside QGIS. sDNA is free but not open source, still I believe > this can be done within the terms of the GPL by running sDNA in a > separate process with pipe or file communication. That said, I’d like > to know whether a plugin that loosely connects to proprietary software > would be welcome in the first place.
Some (almost 100%) sure things : * a Python "import" means GPL "contamination" * Calling an external process communicating through pipe or file does not imply GPL contamination I would say that it is safe to have a qgis plugin calling a proprietary external process. That said, I also think that your external process should not be a necessary part to run your software, otherwise it may be considered as a strong connection or inclusion, and be subject to GPL contamination. If it is optional, no problem. This specific point has to be verified though, not 100% sure. Vincent > > > > What are your thoughts? > > > > Best regards > > > > Crispin > > > > -- > > Dr Crispin Cooper > > Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University > > 33 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BA > > Tel. +44 (0) 29 2087 6072 / ext. 76072 > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Qgis-developer mailing list > Qgis-developer@lists.osgeo.org > http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/qgis-developer > _______________________________________________ Qgis-developer mailing list Qgis-developer@lists.osgeo.org http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/qgis-developer
