[argyllcms] Re: Argyll bundled with professional proofing solution
- From: Graeme Gill <graeme@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: argyllcms@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 22:51:51 +1000
Gerhard Fuernkranz wrote:
IMO only "programs" which contain GPL components must be be delivered
under a GPL compatible license too. The interpretation of the FSF seems
to be that a "program" comprises all components which run in the same
address space (with the exception of usual standard libraries, like e.g.
libc). This implies that only LINKING other software with GPL components
requires to distribute the other software under a GPL compatible license
too, while this restriction does not apply if the other software just
executes GPL programs as separate processes. Any modifications of GPL
components must of course be distributed under the GPL too (if
distributed at all).
But this only addresses running the software, and as such is a reasonable
interpretation of the fact they are separate programs, and not
really one program.
This does not address a package though. A package is a work in itself,
and if the package is composed of different programs, one of which
depends on another in the package for some of it's features
(irrespective of how they communicate), then the features of the package
are certainly derived from that program, and hence the package
is a derived work. See section 0 of the GNU licence.
I also think that distributing the sources on the web server is not
sufficient, if the binaries are distributed e.g. on CD. Either the
sources must be distributed on the CD as well (accompanying the
binaries), or the binaries must be accompanied with a WRITTEN OFFER to
provide the sources on a usual medium (such a "medium" can IMO
eventually also be a download from the server, but at least the written
offer is necessary). Details can be found in the GPL text.
Yes, this is the usual interpretation of the licence.
Graeme Gill.
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