Re: Linking clause deleted from GNAT GPL

["Nathanael Nerode" <neroden@not.real.address.com>]

> Maybe this subject was discussed before, but I'd like some
> clarification. The GNU Ada compiler (GNAT) from FSF is distributed
> under GPL with this special linking exception:
>
> "As a special exception, if other files instantiate generics from this
> unit, or you link this unit with other files to produce an executable,
> this unit does not by itself cause the resulting executable to be
> covered by the GNU General Public License. This exception does not
> however invalidate any other reasons why the executable file might be
> covered by the GNU Public License."
>
> But in the latest GNAT version distributed by AdaCore, this clause was
> deleted in all library source files, therefore forcing all executables
> to be covered by GPL. The question is: did AdaCore have the right to
> remove this clause? Since FSF owns the copyright of GCC, this is not
> obvious to me.

This is actually fairly subtle.  The clause continues to apply to GCC *from 
the FSF*.  Now, AdaCore's release may actually be the FSF release *plus* 
some bits which are copyright AdaCore.  In that case, AdaCore has the right 
to release *their bits* under the pure GPL, without exception clause.

If AdaCore hasn't added any bits to the library source files, then they 
can't remove the clause.  If they have added their own copyrighted bits to a 
source file, then they can remove the clause for that file.