[ncolug] Re: oracle licence for linux

  • From: Chuck Stickelman <cstickelman@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: ncolug@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2006 21:58:15 -0400

nor thern wrote: 

http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/database/oracle10g/index.html

free database for linux , but licence is incompatable with GPL.
our company is using Oracle.


the question is : using the below paragraph from Oracle's EULA , can pipes between
Oracle and GPL programs solve the conflict?
They are claiming 80% market share.

"You also may not combine the Oracle program with programs licensed under the GNU General Public License ("GPL") in any manner that could cause, or could be interpreted or asserted to cause, the Oracle program or any modifications thereto to become subject to the terms of the GPL."

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This one is easy.
If you have a valid license to use the Oracle database and you install a bunch of GPL'ed code, then your OK. You can do about anything you want as long as you don't redistribute any of your stuff. Now, if you want to redistribute you GPL'ed additions then you have to make sure that you don't distribute any of the Oracle code.

If you're going to modify any of Oracle's IP then you could put your changes under the GPL, but you would not be able to distribute the new code. The GPL ONLY really comes into play when you redistribute code. No redistribution, no problem. Basically.

The real question is "Does it matter?" if you're already using Oracle and it's doing everything you need, then don't change. If Oracle isn't doing what you need, maybe because the license costs are prohibitive, or what-not, then consider your options. It's all about the functionality.

Chuck

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