Re: [Caml-list] CDK license

[Brian Rogoff <bpr@best.com>]

On Thu, 31 May 2001, Jacques Garrigue wrote:
> On the same line of thought, the ocaml compiler is released under the
> QPL, which is not compatible with the GPL.
> This means that you cannot build a toplevel including any library
> under the GPL, since it would be in contradiction with either of the
> two licenses.
> At the very least, it seems necessary to add a clause to the GPL,
> saying that linking to QPLed libraries is allowed, just as RMS himself
> suggested for KDE software.

At this point, I'd suggest that we _really_ need to consult a lawyer who
is familiar with intellectual property law and the GPL. 

As far as libraries go, I think the LGPL is a fair compromise between the 
really dedicated RMS followers (once affectionately referred to as
"license ayatollahs" on this very list :) and those who are willing to
tolerate a variety of kinds of software, including proprietary. I
understand the reasons for going GPL instead of LGPL ("resistance is
futile, prepare to be assimilated, or don't use this code") but if it's 
going to be that way then I don't want my Consortium dues to fund work
on the CDK. 

> Another remark is that lablgtk-1.2.0 contains a COPYING file, saying
> that the library itself is LGPL, examples are more or less public
> domain, and applications are _not_ open source. Claiming that all this
> is GPL is clearly wrong. This COPYING is not there, and no README file
> either, which is the only documentation for lablgtk :-)
> 
> (This is not a rant: I am the one who didn't check)

It's a tricky business, this license stuff, and a lot less fun than coding ;-).

-- Brian

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