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Re: GSL within Public Domain Software
- To: Brian Gough <bjg at network-theory dot co dot uk>
- Subject: Re: GSL within Public Domain Software
- From: "Timothy H. Keitt" <Timothy dot Keitt at StonyBrook dot Edu>
- Date: Fri, 11 May 2001 10:34:52 -0400
- CC: Lowell Johnson <ldjohn at usgs dot gov>,gsl-discuss at sources dot redhat dot com
- Organization: State University of New York at Stony Brook
- References: <01050908201602.25581@edclxw5> <15099.4551.142012.790518@debian>
Are you prohibited from distributing code under license if you also
release the same code into the public domain? You could have a public
domain / GPL licence and simply make a note that if used with the GSL
(or any other GPL code), the user must choose the GPL licence, otherwise
the code is public domain.
Tim
Brian Gough wrote:
> Lowell Johnson writes:
> > My hope is that each module retains its original license. (This
> > only applies to GPL-compatible licenses.) In other words, my
> > application code would remain in the public domain and the GSL
> > would remain under the GPL. Anyone wanting to pull my code into a
> > proprietary package is welcome to do so, but they'll have to deal
> > with rewriting the sections that call GSL functions.
> > This is one interpretation of what is said at
> > http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/license-list.html
> > pointed out in an earlier message by Jason Beegan, although the
> > GPL does state that any "derived" application inherits the GPL. It
> > seems like there is room for more clarity.
>
> Yes, I don't know what the legal interpretations of these terms are
> either. I just work by the rule that using the GPL is safe and what
> we would recommend for the general user, although that is not applicable
> in this case... you could also try asking <licensing@gnu.org>
> about your situtation as they may have dealt with it before.
>
>
--
Timothy H. Keitt
Department of Ecology and Evolution
State University of New York at Stony Brook
Phone: 631-632-1101, FAX: 631-632-7626
http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/keitt/