>> Marcus Brinkmann <Marcus.Brinkmann@ruhr-uni-bochum.de> writes:
> Copyright law is not concerned about that, and the question if
> something is a derived work from something else has nothing to do
> with the specific details of an abstract idea like an interface, only
> with the fine details on its implementation, like if code was copied
> or not.
That's clear. I think the question goes along the lines of: if
program A is under a non-GPL compatible license, and provides a plug-in
interface, that is, it can be extended but the plugins are /not/
required for program's A operation, and plugin B is under the GPL, can
someone distribute program A and plugin B together? A further question
is the definition of "together" (in the context of copyright law). As
I understand it, the answer to the first question is no, by
distributing A and B together you are encouraging the use of B with A
(the enduser can do this, but I don't think that's the question here).
I don't know about the second: both components inside a tarball is not
allowed. Both components on a CD? Both components on an ftp server
(even if they are in different directories? Think mirrors like
sunsite). One component on a webpage and a just a link to the second?
--
Marcelo | Greebo could, in fact, commit sexual harrassment simply
mmagallo@debian.org | by sitting very quietly in the next room.
| -- (Terry Pratchett, Maskerade)