John Hansen wrote:
> So, what's the story with readline?
There is a greyish clause in the GPL that says that linking to things
normally distributed with your operating system doesn't incur the
obligations of the GPL. So assuming that readline, which is GPL, is
normally distributed with your operating system, you are at liberty to
use it without being bound to apply the GPL to your code. Another
example is the Linux kernel - you (or at least, many do, even if not you
personally, I don't know your predilections :)) use it all the time, and
it's GPL, but using it doesn't mean that all your apps are subject to
the GPL.
BTW the GPL is all about distribution - for your own private use on your
own computer, you can link whatever you like to whatever you like - the
issues crop up when you try to distribute such a system to anyone else,
you then become obliged to give that someone else the rights that the
GPL requires. So linking to GPL (or LGPL) code is not acceptable for the
PostgreSQL project itself, but might be acceptable for you personally,
depending on what you're doing.
Tim
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Tim Allen tim@proximity.com.au
Proximity Pty Ltd http://www.proximity.com.au/
