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RE: cygwin and GPL (again)


> -----Original Message-----
> From: cygwin-owner@sources.redhat.com
> [mailto:cygwin-owner@sources.redhat.com]On Behalf Of David Case
> Sent: 2001. February 14. 21:23
> To: cygwin@cygwin.com
> Subject: Re: cygwin and GPL (again)
>
> On Wed, Feb 14, 2001, Christopher Faylor wrote:
> >
> > Btw, if you use Cygwin in an application, the application
> > automatically becomes free software.  Just so you know.
>
> Just so *I* know, isn't the above oversimplified?

Not exactly.

> If I *distribute* an application linked to cygwin to others,
> I am obliged to follow GPL-like rules for the whole application.\
> But simply *using* cygwin (e.g. to compile some code that expects
> a Unix environment) for my own use should not taint the code.
> Is this not correct?

AFAIK and IANAL:
Depends.  If your code links to the Cygwin1.dll, which is GPLed, your code
becomes GPLed too.  If your code uses the MS run-time, it does not become
GPLed.  And the whole question is moot if you don't distribute your software
to others, but just build for your own use.

I believe "if you use Cygwin in an application" above, should be read as "if
your application uses the Cygwin1.dll".  There is nothing I am aware of in
the GPL that says you can't use GNU tools to build non-GNU software.  There
_is_ such a restriction on the use of GPLed _code_.  If you are simply using
the GNU compiler to compile code you have written, linked against non-GPLed
libraries, I see no issue.

> As a somewhat more realistic example, if I distribute source
> code under conditions other than the GPL, and suggest to users
> that they could use the cygwin package to compile my code on
> their Windows machine, would such a suggestion somehow make the
> source code free software?

The essense of free software is that the folks who use it _can_ get the
source code.  The essense of the GPL is that you will provide the source
code, and that you will _tell_ the people who use your application that you
will do so.  Most of the questions about the GPL here have taken the form of
"Do I have to distribute my source _with_ my application, or can I provide
it seperately?"  My understanding of the GPL is that you _can_ provide it
seperately, as long as you make clear to the users you _will_ do so, and
that you do so in a fashion convenient to the users.  Many folks don't
want/can't use the source, but those that do should be able to get it on
demand.

> ...thanks for any clarification....dac

I believe the above is accurate.  If not, I _know_ I will hear about it.

> David A. Case                     |  e-mail:      case@scripps.edu
_________________________
Dennis McCunney
mccunney@bellatlantic.net


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