Re: Use libcddb in my Cocoa App
Re: Use libcddb in my Cocoa App
- Subject: Re: Use libcddb in my Cocoa App
- From: "Alastair J.Houghton" <email@hidden>
- Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2003 23:56:07 +0100
On Sunday, June 22, 2003, at 11:44 pm, sinclair44 wrote:
>
On 6/22/03 6:39 PM, "Alastair J.Houghton" <email@hidden>
>
wrote:
>
>
> Including any GPL'd code in a program makes that program subject to
>
> the GPL
>
>
Does loading a plugin count as code included in the program? I've got a
>
GPL'd program that loads some code under the MIT License as an example
>
program; is this allowed?
The official FSF view is that plug-in code does count as code included
in the program. This means (for example) that GPL'd Photoshop filters
and commercial Gimp plugins are both out of the question. Under their
interpretation, the MIT licensed code will be covered by the GPL
because it has been linked with GPL'd code; if the two licenses are
compatible, you're fine... otherwise, you need to change the license on
one or the other.
Interestingly, the Linux community takes a different (possibly more
pragmatic) view on the applicability of the GPL to plug-ins (in their
case, loadable kernel modules). They allow commercial modules, although
using them does mark your kernel as tainted by proprietary code (I
believe because they were having trouble with poor-quality drivers from
the commercial world causing kernel panics and things).
The FSF lawyers presumably support the FSF's viewpoint, and as I'm no
lawyer myself I would tend to side with them unless told otherwise by a
legal practitioner.
Kind regards,
Alastair.
BTW, it's supposedly illegal to dish-out legal advice unless you are a
qualified lawyer in at least some US states. The golden rule should
always be: if in doubt, consult a qualified legal practitioner.
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