RE: [stellation-res] Stellation support for MySQL on Linux

["Wynne Crisman" <wcrisman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I too am interested in using MySQL for a project I am preparing for and have
noticed that the Driver is GPL.  If I were to write my own JDBC driver that
communicated with the Database via IPC (sockets) would that require the
MySQL folks to provide permission?  It would seem to me, based on my
understanding of GPL, that communication with a separate process running GPL
code does not in and of its self require that non-GPL process be released as
GPL.  Please correct me if I am wrong so I don't go wasting my time.

I also don't believe it is accurate to say that GPL is a PacMan like
license.  Instead GPL is makes lots of business sense for any group or
individual without the resources to protect their property because they
don't have to protect their property under GPL.  GPL does allow for other
licenses other than GPL, so an organization using any GPL library has three
choices: release the application or library completely free under GPL, pay
through the nose to obtain non-GPL licenses for the used GPL code, or remove
all use of the GPL code (usually also expensive).  I would say that GPL is a
business strategy, and so much a movement for freely available software or
free expression of ideas.

~Wynne

PS: I have begun the process of building a replacement for the MySQL driver,
though I don't yet have a clear understanding of how big of an undertaking
this will be.

-----Original Message-----
From: stellation-res-admin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:stellation-res-admin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Mark C.
Chu-Carroll
Sent: Saturday, November 02, 2002 5:47 AM
To: stellation-res@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [stellation-res] Stellation support for MySQL on Linux

..........

No. As I understand it, linking/direct inclusion is the key issue. So if
a JDBC driver is implemented to use the MySQL
communication protocols, and the MySQL folks gave permission
for that JDBC driver to be licensed non-GPL, and we only
connect through the LGPLed driver, then we're OK.

> A little off topic, but relevant still. How do the CDT folks get away with
> using GCC and its' toolchain which are all GPL licensed?

I'm a bit out of my depth here... But my understanding is,
direct linkage is the key. The CDT invokes gcc through
a generic command-line interaction mechanism. It does
not directly link gcc. But as I said... I'm really getting
out of my depth. My understanding of this stuff is quite
limited. I'm just trying to do my best to make sure we
stay within the limits that were explained to my by the
legal folks.

	-Mark



--
Mark Craig Chu-Carroll,  IBM T.J. Watson Research Center
*** The Stellation project: Advanced SCM for Collaboration
***		http://www.eclipse.org/stellation
*** Work Email: mcc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx  ------- Personal Email:
markcc@xxxxxxxxxxx


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