Thread: PostgreSQL License Question
First, I want to confirm my understanding that the "without fee" clause in the PostgreSQL license means that a party may not sell PostgreSQL or works derived from the PostgreSQL source code. Second, do loadable PostgreSQL modules constitute a derived work? Can a party develop new PostgreSQL types or functions and sell them as loadable modules under their own open or closed source license? Finally, do applications that install and rely on an unmodified version of PostgreSQL constitute a derived work? I apologize if these questions have already been answered on this list, but I was unable to find them in the archive. Also, please reply to me directly, I am not subscribed. Thank you, Ryan Mack
On Fri, 31 Oct 2003, Ryan Mack wrote: > First, I want to confirm my understanding that the "without fee" clause in > the PostgreSQL license means that a party may not sell PostgreSQL or works > derived from the PostgreSQL source code. Nope, you are free to do with PostgreSQL (or any derived works) what you will ... we are a BSD licensed ... "without fee" means that you can do what you like with it *without* having to pay anyone for that right ...
"Marc G. Fournier" <scrappy@postgresql.org> writes:
> Nope, you are free to do with PostgreSQL (or any derived works) what you
> will ... we are a BSD licensed ... "without fee" means that you can do
> what you like with it *without* having to pay anyone for that right ...
In particular, "without fee" means that we (the developers) don't charge
anything for our work. You're free to charge for your work. Selling a
customized version of Postgres for whatever you can get for it is okay
by us.
regards, tom lane
On 01/11/2003 01:36 Ryan Mack wrote: > First, I want to confirm my understanding that the "without fee" clause > in > the PostgreSQL license means that a party may not sell PostgreSQL or > works > derived from the PostgreSQL source code. > > Second, do loadable PostgreSQL modules constitute a derived work? Can a > party develop new PostgreSQL types or functions and sell them as loadable > modules under their own open or closed source license? > > Finally, do applications that install and rely on an unmodified version > of > PostgreSQL constitute a derived work? > > I apologize if these questions have already been answered on this list, > but I was unable to find them in the archive. Also, please reply to me > directly, I am not subscribed. > > Thank you, Ryan Mack My understanding is that PostgreSQL's BSD-style license leaves you free to do whatever want with the it and that includes creating a commercial closed-source derived version. Unlike the GPL, there are no issues of derived works or licensing issues if you compile your software to include PostgreSQL headers or libraries. So develop whatever you want and release as either open or closed source as fits your needs. HTH -- Paul Thomas +------------------------------+---------------------------------------------+ | Thomas Micro Systems Limited | Software Solutions for the Smaller Business | | Computer Consultants | http://www.thomas-micro-systems-ltd.co.uk | +------------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
Paul Thomas wrote: > > but I was unable to find them in the archive. Also, please reply to me > > directly, I am not subscribed. > > > > Thank you, Ryan Mack > > My understanding is that PostgreSQL's BSD-style license leaves you free to > do whatever want with the it and that includes creating a commercial > closed-source derived version. Unlike the GPL, there are no issues of > derived works or licensing issues if you compile your software to include > PostgreSQL headers or libraries. So develop whatever you want and release > as either open or closed source as fits your needs. I tell people the only BSD restriction is "don't sue us". -- Bruce Momjian | http://candle.pha.pa.us pgman@candle.pha.pa.us | (610) 359-1001 + If your life is a hard drive, | 13 Roberts Road + Christ can be your backup. | Newtown Square, Pennsylvania 19073