Re: [Fsfe-uk] Sun through the Looking Glass

[MJ Ray]

On 2004-06-30 14:58:22 +0100 Martin Coxall <address@hidden> wrote:

> I'm not claiming that it is illegal for Sun to distribute, but is it 
> illegal 
> for a user to use? I am linking GPLd software against proprietary 
> libraries 
> if I do that, am I not?

I'm pretty sure that you can't infringe copyright under English law 
just by using it. See the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 
section 50C(1) for the exact wording of the legislation:

50C.-(1) It is not an infringement of copyright for a lawful user of a 
copy of a computer program to copy or adapt it, provided that the 
copying or adapting-

(a) is necessary for his lawful use; and

(b) is not prohibited under any term or condition of an agreement 
regulating the circumstances in which his use is lawful.

(2) It may, in particular, be necessary for the lawful use of a 
computer program to copy it or adapt it for the purpose of correcting 
errors in it.

(3) This section does not apply to any copying or adapting permitted 
under section 50A, 50B or 50BA.
[END QUOTE]

The GPL doesn't regulate use, IIRC.

I think the above was added following some EU directive.

--
MJR/slef    My Opinion Only and not of any group I know
http://www.ttllp.co.uk/ for creative copyleft computing
"To be English is not to be baneful / To be standing by
the flag not feeling shameful / Racist or partial..."
                                            (Morrissey)