Re: KDE gone, Lyx next ?

[Craig Sanders <cas@taz.net.au>]

On Sun, 11 Oct 1998, Raul Miller wrote:

> Craig Sanders <cas@taz.net.au> wrote:
> > no, the modifications to the source are fine. the GPL does not in
> > any way restrict the kinds of modifications you can make to GPL-ed
> > source code. You have the source, you can do what you want with
> > it. This is one of the freedoms guarranteed to you by the GPL.
>
> Correct, as long as you don't distribute the modifications.

wrong.  The GPL allows you to distribute your modified source as long as
you distribute it with a GPL license.

the GPL makes no restrictions, nor any comment at all, on the kinds of
modifications you may make. as mentioned to you previously, you can
modify it to work with a non-free library, you can modify it so that it
doesn't work at all, you can modify it in any way that you like.  The
GPL takes no issue whatsoever with the kinds of modifications you may
make.

The GPL's only question is: "is all of what you are distributing under
the GPL?"

> > (as a side note, this is complicated in the case of KDE because KDE
> > has re-used some existing GPL code and linked it to Qt.  While they
> > have every right under the GPL to modify the source to do that, the
> > GPL prohibits them from legally distributing binaries until they
> > receive permission from the original author(s))
>
> The GPL also forbids them from distributing the modified sources.

wrong again.   the GPL only needs to cover the derived or combined work.

there is no combined work until the source is compiled, linked to the
non-free library, and a binary produced.


craig

--
craig sanders