MJ Ray <mjr@dsl.pipex.com> [2003:10:10:01:09:49+0100] scribed: > On 2003-10-09 20:01:36 +0100 Michael D Schleif <mds@helices.org> wrote: > > >My client wants to retain all rights to their software, and is not > >willing to release their software in any `free' software fashion. > > ...so this isn't a question about the licence of something that can be > in Debian? I suspect debian-legal is not the best list for this. > > >Everything other than the proprietary software is straight DEB > >installed, so their is no issue of distributing modified `free' > >software. However, the MySQL licensing model seems to indicate that a > >licensing fee is due them; and, I wonder about others. > > I believe that you can supply MySQL for free or fee. If you are > creating a derived work of it, you will need to read and understand > the terms of the licence, or buy a different licence from them. IANAL > and this is an opinion, not legal advice. If you have a more specific > question about MySQL licensing, MySQL AB are probably the best people > to consult. > > >What are the repercussions to my client, as a result of this model? > > How long is a piece of string? I'd expect that they will get reduced > licence fees and no effective vendor lock-in. Please seek legal > advice from a copyright lawyer with experience of free software > licences in your local jurisdiction. OK, but I need to start someplace. Based on my description, if response consensus is that I do not have problems with Debian licensing, that is more than I had when I posted. If consensus is to contact each application developer, in turn, for the Apache, PHP, MySQL and other included software; then that, too, is more than I had before. As I commented in response to David, I had always assumed that, so long as we do not modify source code, GPL allows distribution of this sort. Once I read the MySQL licensing page, I have doubts. We want to do the right thing. This is *NOT* a matter of whether or not we can get away without paying for software! Thank you, for your kind participation . . . -- Best Regards, mds mds resource 877.596.8237 - Dare to fix things before they break . . . - Our capacity for understanding is inversely proportional to how much we think we know. The more I know, the more I know I don't know . . . --
Attachment:
pgp94A_cdXeUY.pgp
Description: PGP signature