"rescuing" code from the GPL
Hello. Please inform me kindly if this Q is OT for this list.
I have a question. I will illustrate it by means of a highly simple
programming situation.
Please look at the following images (each is only 6 KB) to get a
syntax-highlighted program.
http://h1.ripway.com/jamadagni/01-noqt-nothirdvar.png
http://h1.ripway.com/jamadagni/02-qt-nothirdvar.png
http://h1.ripway.com/jamadagni/03-qt-thirdvar.png
http://h1.ripway.com/jamadagni/04-noqt-thirdvar.png
My question is whether anyone among X, Y and Z in any of the below two
situations is guilty of copyright infringement as a result of not
following license conditions?
SITUATION #1:
1. X creates 01-noqt-nothirdvar.cpp and distributes it under the BSDL only.
2. Y modifies this program to use Qt (under the GPL), creating
02-qt-nothirdvar.cpp, and distributes it under both the BSDL and GPL.
3. Z modifies this program to use a third variable for swapping,
creating 03-qt-thirdvar.cpp, and distributes it under both the BSDL and GPL.
4. X imports the change from Z, namely using a third variable only, into
his codebase, creating 04-noqt-thirdvar.cpp, and distributes it under
the BSDL only.
SITUATION #2:
1. X creates 01-noqt-nothirdvar.cpp and distributes it under the BSDL only.
2. Y modifies this program to use Qt (under the GPL) and to use a third
variable for swapping, creating 03-qt-thirdvar.cpp, and distributes it
under both the BSDL and GPL.
3. X imports one change from Y, namely using a third variable only, into
his codebase, creating 04-noqt-thirdvar.cpp, and distributes it under
the BSDL only.
Thanks.
Shriramana Sharma.
Reply to: