Re: OT: GPL and jar file
Andreas Rueckert wrote: > Hi! > > I have a licensing question, that you might be able to answer: are 2 classes in > a jar file 'linked' in a GPL way? I mean, if class A is under GPL and I put it > in a jar file with class B, does it restrict the license of B to GPL? Or could > B still be closed source? Not only that. They do not have even to be in same jar. If you use GPL code, even through dynamic linking, all your app has to be GPL. With LPGL, situation looks a bit different. In such case, you can for sure use it with commercial application, if it is in different jar. As for putting it in same jar - I don't know how it look like exactly - I do not think that LGPL _clearly_ states it and all what is left is interpretation and good/bad will. For example, my interpretation is that it is not a problem to embed LGPLed classes in same jar, but you have to LPGL all changes you have made to them plus all new classes which are tightly integrated within - for me it means classes which logically fit in same package. But this is just my interpretation. What is sure, that you CANNOT use GPLed libraries in non-'free' software. Artur ___ Classpath mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/classpath
Re: OT: GPL and jar file
Andreas Rueckert wrote: > That would mean it depends on the JVM? If you have a JVM, that loads all the > classes at once, B becomes GPLed, if the JVM loads the classes on demand, B > keeps it's license? I don't see how that makes a difference. > Let be elaborate a bit further on my question. My problem is a Installer called > izPack ( http://www.izforge.com/izpack/ ), that is under GPL. It creates a > single Jar with the installer classes (under GPL) and the app to be installed. > Julien Ponge (izPack author) says, you can install even closed source apps with > the tool, while I'm uncertain. Well, if he owns the copyright, he gets to decide, a he is the one who has standing to sue. And maybe his interpretation is right, fo his code. But he should make it clear, in the license, if he hasn't already. > Sorry for the OT discussion, but the same problem would occur, if anyone would > include classpath code in a non-GPLed project, so I thought you might have an > answer. But Classpath is not GPL - it is GPL with an extra exception allowing you to link it with proprietary code. -- --Per Bothner [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.bothner.com/per/ ___ Classpath mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/classpath
Re: OT: GPL and jar file
Hi Per and and all!
Thanks a lot for your answer.
On Fre, 16 Aug 2002 Per Bothner wrote:
> This is a legal question, and I don't think anyone here can really
> answer it.
>
> My guess is that just placing the classes in a jar doesn't "link" them,
> but loading both classes into the same JVM does. However, this is
> like the old "user-does-the-link" ploy which (I believe) NeXT tried
> (for the Objective-C compiler). The FSF sicced their lawyers on them
> and NeXT ended up Free'ing their Objective-C compiler.
That would mean it depends on the JVM? If you have a JVM, that loads all the
classes at once, B becomes GPLed, if the JVM loads the classes on demand, B
keeps it's license?
> A determining factor is likely to be to what extent B depends on A.
> If they are completely independent, it is probably ok ("mere
> aggregation"); but if B depends on A, I wouldn't try it.
Let be elaborate a bit further on my question. My problem is a Installer called
izPack ( http://www.izforge.com/izpack/ ), that is under GPL. It creates a
single Jar with the installer classes (under GPL) and the app to be installed.
Julien Ponge (izPack author) says, you can install even closed source apps with
the tool, while I'm uncertain. If I start the installation with
'java -jar installer.jar' and the JVM loads all the classes in the jar, closed
source classes in the jar would become GPLed?
Sorry for the OT discussion, but the same problem would occur, if anyone would
include classpath code in a non-GPLed project, so I thought you might have an
answer.
Ciao,
Andreas
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Re: OT: GPL and jar file
Andreas Rueckert wrote:
> I have a licensing question, that you might be able to answer: are 2 classes in
> a jar file 'linked' in a GPL way? I mean, if class A is under GPL and I put it
> in a jar file with class B, does it restrict the license of B to GPL? Or could
> B still be closed source?
This is a legal question, and I don't think anyone here can really
answer it.
My guess is that just placing the classes in a jar doesn't "link" them,
but loading both classes into the same JVM does. However, this is
like the old "user-does-the-link" ploy which (I believe) NeXT tried
(for the Objective-C compiler). The FSF sicced their lawyers on them
and NeXT ended up Free'ing their Objective-C compiler.
A determining factor is likely to be to what extent B depends on A.
If they are completely independent, it is probably ok ("mere
aggregation"); but if B depends on A, I wouldn't try it.
--
--Per Bothner
[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.bothner.com/per/
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OT: GPL and jar file
Hi! I have a licensing question, that you might be able to answer: are 2 classes in a jar file 'linked' in a GPL way? I mean, if class A is under GPL and I put it in a jar file with class B, does it restrict the license of B to GPL? Or could B still be closed source? Ciao, Andreas ___ Classpath mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/classpath
