From: Daniel Carrera <dcarrera@...>
Date: 2003-07-11T08:38:36+09:00
Subject: Re: My brief and torrid affair with Ruby.

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On Fri, Jul 11, 2003 at 08:03:24AM +0900, Sean O'Dell wrote:

> Actually, if you incorporate GPL code into your application, if you intend
> to release your application, it MUST be released as GPL (with the usual
> exceptions).  I'm not sure if you are just being vague, or don't realize
> exactly how it works.

I know very well how it works.  I have been familiar with the GPL for many 
years and I have read it in its entirety many times.

As for being vague, well I'm clearly not conveing myself correctly.

If you incorporate GPL code into your application, your application does 
not become GPL.  However, if you choose to distribute said application 
with the GPL code under a non-GPL license, you are not conforming the GPL.  
There are two ways that you can avoid non-conformace:
  - GPL your application.
  - Remove the insterted code.

The difference might be subtle, but it is very important.
Inserting GPL code into your own application does not force you to GPL 
your application.  Rather, it means that you have two choices: GPL 
your applicatin, or remove the offending code.

The difference is big because:
 -  The choice remains yours.
 -  You don't have to worry about mistakenly inserting GPL code, you
    still have the power to decide.  There will not be any "accidents".

The fact that you have the option of removing the GPL code without your 
code ever having been GPL is the crucial point here.

This means that the GPL will never force a license on your property.  If 
you know anything about copyright law, you should know that no license 
could ever do this.

> I hope that made things more clear and I didn't just create a lot of
> confusion.

I have explained everything you just did multiple times in this thread.  
You should know by now that I really do know very well how the GPL works.  
I really have spent a lot of time looking at the relevant details over 
several years.

Please don't assume that I don't know the basics copyright law.

- -- 
Daniel Carrera         | OpenPGP fingerprint:
Graduate TA, Math Dept | 6643 8C8B 3522 66CB D16C D779 2FDD 7DAC 9AF7 7A88
UMD  (301) 405-5137    | http://www.math.umd.edu/~dcarrera/pgp.html
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