From: Sean O'Dell <sean@...>
Date: 2003-07-11T09:46:29+09:00
Subject: Re: My brief and torrid affair with Ruby.

"Daniel Carrera" <dcarrera@math.umd.edu> wrote in message
news:20030710235013.GG1662@math.umd.edu...
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> On Fri, Jul 11, 2003 at 08:24:17AM +0900, Gawnsoft wrote:
>
> > >> >GPL code imposes a condition upon its use that some people don't
like.
> > >> >Fine.  But you are not forced to use the GPL code, hence it is not
viral.
> > >>
> > >> If you use it in contact with your own code [and, to be be absolutely
> > >> pedantic about it, choose not to break the GPL licensing terms] it
> > >> spreads to your own code.
> > >>
> > >> Hence it is viral, in that there is an effect from contagion.
> > >
> > >Not it DOESN'T.  That's what I've been saying all along.
> >
> >
> > Read the 'If ... and' in my statement to which you then say 'no'.
>
> I have read your If statement carefully.
>
> Your statement is (given the assumption that you don't want to break the
> GPL and that you release the code so that the GPL applies).
>
>   if (GPL code comes in contact with yours)
>         Your code becomes GPL.
>   end
>
> I am saying that this is incorrect.  Copyright law does not have the power
> to do this.  A more correct statement would be:
>
>   if (GPL code comes in contact with yours)
>        You have two choices:
>            a)  GPL your code.
>            b)  Remove the code in question.
>   end

This is actually not true, either.  Neither of the two if's are true.

You are free to include GPL code into your application and use your
application privately or internally to your company and your application
does not have to be branded under the GPL license.  It's only if you RELEASE
your application publicly with GPL code attached or linked to that you have
to release your application under the GPL (or remove the code/don't release
the application).

A proper if statement would be:

if (GPL code comes into contact with yours) then
    if (used internally only) or (not released at all) then
        return (fine)
    elsif (released publicly)
        if (GPL code removed) then
            return (fine)
        else
            return (application must be GPL'd) | (full source must be
provided)
        end
    end
end

    Sean O'Dell