RE: [binarycloud-dev] LGPL

[Andrew <an...@sa...>]

Alex,

Well, neither LGPL nor BSD force re-contribution if another product isn't
distributed.

The issue we found with LGPL is that an OS vendor (to remain nameless for a
little while yet) was not comfortable bundling iODBC until we changed the
license.  If you examine points 5 and 6 of the LGPL, they appear to enforce
the same viral contribution clause, and have some contradictory language as
far as what constitutes a 'derived work'.

Basically, a case could be made that everyone has to be LGPL (or GPL) with
code they write that uses bc in any way.
Now this is not so bad, but you may be restricting distribution of
commercial products built with bc.

Also, while a lot of companies are starting to use open source, there is
still a big aversion to GPL, and LGPL cannot be separated from that in
lawyers' minds due to the ambiguity in points 5 and 6.

Just my .02 - I really am not adverse to LGPL, but think it's muddy water.

Best regards,
Andrew

> -----Original Message-----
> From: bin...@li...
> [mailto:bin...@li...]On Behalf Of Alex
> Black
> Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2001 2:09 PM
> To: binarycloud-dev
> Subject: Re: [binarycloud-dev] LGPL
>
>
> > Alex,
> >
> > We've run into problems with LGPL adoption with one of our
> products (iODBC).
> > This got so bad with larger companies eyeing it suspiciously
> (because its
> > legal language is vague as far as how it differs from the GPL,
> and it could
> > impose the same 'viral' licensing) that we finally released
> iODBC under a
> > BSD license as well.  Not that the situations are identical by
> any means,
> > but you may run into problems in the long run with bc adoption in large
> > companies with legal departments that find LGPL unacceptable.
>
> hi andrew, as always good point :)
>
> I personally dislike BSD because it does not enforce
> "re-contribution" which
> I think is a fundamentally good thing to force. BSD basically says
> "whatever, this is free"
>
> Can you give me a specific example of problems brought to your attention
> with LGPL?
>
> _a
>
>
> --
> alex black, ceo
> en...@tu...
>
> the turing studio, inc.
> http://www.turingstudio.com
>
> vox+510.666.0074
> fax+510.666.0093
>
>
>
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