Re: GPL and scripting languages (here: python2.3-psycopg)

[Josh Triplett <josh.trip@verizon.net>]

Brian Thomas Sniffen wrote:
> On the other hand, if you rely on psycopg being a normal part of the
> OS, and do not ship it yourself, then you do not have to ship the
> source for your program:
> 
> : However, as a special exception, the source code distributed need not
> : include anything that is normally distributed (in either source or
> : binary form) with the major components (compiler, kernel, and so on)
> : of the operating system on which the executable runs, unless that
> : component itself accompanies the executable.
> 

This "OS exception" does not apply to GPL-incompatible programs using
GPLed operating system facilities, only to GPLed programs using
GPL-incompatible operating system facilities.  This can be seen by
reading the context of the exception clause, which requires source for
all components of the work that don't fall under the exception - in
other words, anything that isn't normally distributed with the operating
system.  Since the program using the operating system facilities is not
normally distributed with the operating system, the exception does not
apply to it.

In any case, as you mentioned elsewhere in this thread, Debian cannot
take advantage of this clause in the GPL, due to the last clause:
"unless that component itself accompanies the executable".

- Josh Triplett