Quoting DTucker:
"Also, much GPLed software is not free for commercial use. If you use MySQL in you business, you have to pay for it."
Is this really the case? I was under the impression that you only had to pay for it when you used it as a part of commercial software offereings or service -- but that you could use it as a standalone product in your business under the GPL. I was also under the impression that the for-a-fee version of MySQL was sold under a different license (and, therefore, not GPLed software in that case).
Can anyone clarify for me?
You are correct. From the MySQL web site:
"All of our products are available under open source licenses, but we also sell commercial licenses for all of the products so they can be adopted in situations where an open source solution is not appropriate."
All software licensed under an "Open Source Approved License" cannot be restricted from any "Field of Endeavor". From the opensource.org web site:
"6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor
The license must not restrict anyone from making use of the program in a specific field of endeavor. For example, it may not restrict the program from being used in a business, or from being used for genetic research.
Rationale: The major intention of this clause is to prohibit license traps that prevent open source from being used commercially. We want commercial users to join our community, not feel excluded from it."
MySQL is GPL and GPL is "Open Source Approved" (I know, GPL is what pretty much defined "Open Source", I am just trying to make it easy to understand). Therefore, you can use MySQL in a business environment without purchasing licenses.
Adam Augustine
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