openssl and GPL

[Brian May <bam@snoopy.apana.org.au>]

Hello,

I am still a bit confused as to the problems with
linking GPL code with OPENSSL. I don't intend to start
any flame wars...

Please send CCs to me. Thanks.

If there is somewhere I can find this information, URLs
would be appreciated.

1. What is the problem? I have read the GPL, and cannot recall the
problem. According to the top of /usr/doc/openssl/copyright,
openssl has a dual BSD style license. I haven't heard of problems
linking GPL code with BSD code before. So why is this different?

2. Is <URL:http://www.openssl.org/support/faq.html#LEGAL> wrong? ie.
"the GPL does not place restrictions on using libraries that are part of
the normal operating system distribution".

I normally like the GPL, but I find it a bit irratating that I can't
take some GPL program, and link it against Heimdal (which happens to
be linked against OpenSSL), without express permission from all the
copyright holders of the GPL software. In fact, I would argue that this
goes against the goals of the GPL.
-- 
Brian May <bam@snoopy.apana.org.au>


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