On Wed, Aug 07, 2002 at 11:45:32AM -0600, Joe Moore wrote: > Steve Langasek wrote: > > On Wed, Aug 07, 2002 at 08:53:18AM -0600, Joe Moore wrote: > >> Steve Langasek wrote: > >> > Users do not violate the GPL: the GPL does not govern use of a > >> > program. > >> > But it would be illegal for Debian to *ship* a version of FireBird > >> > that uses libreadline. > >> On further research, > >> http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#IfLibraryIsGPL seems to imply > >> that linking a program to a GPL library (even for personal use) means > >> the program must be GPL. > >> This seems like a contradiction. > > I've noticed that the FSF's GPL FAQ does a rather embarrassing job of > > distinguishing between use and distribution/modification. Section 0 of > > the GPL says: > > Activities other than copying, distribution and modification are not > > covered by this License; they are outside its scope. The act of > > running the Program is not restricted, and the output from the > > Program is covered only if its contents constitute a work based on > > the > > Program (independent of having been made by running the Program). > > This clearly trumps anything that might be in the GPL FAQ. > And section 4 says: > You may not copy, modify, sublicense, or distribute the Program except > as expressly provided under this License. > Since there is no express permission to modify (and _not_ distribute), this > modification would not be allowed, right? So the user can't modify his own > copy for personal use, without following all of section 2's requirements? > (2a-prominant notice and 2c-changed interactive message. 2b is satisfied) So far, we aren't doing anything that requires making modifications to the GPL library; all the proposed modifications have been to the application, which is not only not GPLed, it's also GPL-incompatible. If a user were to make modifications to a local copy of the library, then yes, it would have to be done in a way that complies with the terms of the GPL. Steve Langasek postmodern programmer
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