Re: [circle] GPL Violatin - no I wont

[Jiri Baum]

Hello,

David Irvine:
...
> and run them as two independently running programs therefor not breaking
> GPL (linked code must be GPL). 

This is a misunderstanding of the GPL; code which is *derivative* of the 
program is covered by the GPL, regardless of the mode of coupling. Two 
independently-running programs may well be considered derivative of each 
other if the data they share is sufficiently intimate. 

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#MereAggregation
    ... if the semantics of the communication are intimate enough, exchanging
    complex internal data structures, that too could be a basis to consider
    the two parts as combined into a larger program.

Simply using RPCs instead of linking would almost certainly mean that the two 
programs are still combined, and the whole is still subject to the GPL.

However, I'm not a lawyer - if you want advice, you should consult one..

> It just makes it not so good for the usr but then when I do open source my
> bit they can be linked at the code level. 

It's difficult to comment on this part, since you've never said what you 
actually intend to do with this - what problem will it solve for the users 
that's not already solved by other software?

> The only issue is I would be stuck with a GPL thing and I am not sure about
> doing that. 

Yeah, well, that much is obvious.

Jiri
-- 
Jiri Baum <address@hidden>                   http://www.baum.com.au/~jiri
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