RE: [ros-kernel] Possible licensing issues?

[Robert C. <rob...@it...>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: KJK::Hyperion [mailto:no...@li...]=20
> Sent: Saturday, April 27, 2002 1:39 AM
> To: ReactOS-Kernel
> Subject: [ros-kernel] Possible licensing issues?
>=20
>=20
> A friend of mine has expressed a doubt about our choice of=20
> GPL as license.=20
> He says that there may be issues about running non-GPL stuff=20
> on system=20
> libraries that are entirely GPL. I somehow thought that GPL=20
> applied only to=20
> *interfacing* to a library, so only programs and drivers using=20
> ReactOS-specific functions or the implementation itself would=20
> fall under=20
> the "derivative works" category, but he told me that it isn't so, and=20
> suggested we ask the FSF for a definitive reply

The GPL -normally- covers everything, but it has an exception for system
libraries. What ReactOS needs to do is _grant_ an exception (which the
GPL also allows) stating that while the -content- of the headers etc is
GPL'd, linking to the them does -not- invoke the 'derivative work'
clauses.

Rob