X-Git-Url: http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/ucgi/~ianmdlvl/git?p=adns.git;a=blobdiff_plain;f=GPL-vs-LGPL;fp=GPL-vs-LGPL;h=e5345b135ddf22870808d6c01cc8f42b7de42ba7;hp=00c37b341c41ca007d376b2bed1475247794b36b;hb=a14bea78fb6ce5fc5ce20306ae224a1f37a46819;hpb=07b2653a2a362473777e4d3dbd7d2b810886c0ce diff --git a/GPL-vs-LGPL b/GPL-vs-LGPL index 00c37b3..e5345b1 100644 --- a/GPL-vs-LGPL +++ b/GPL-vs-LGPL @@ -8,37 +8,34 @@ questions. If you still have questions or comments, please mail me at . Typically there are two or three kinds of situation where people make -this request: the first is where someone is developing a proprietary -program and wishes to make use of adns but doesn't wish to make their -program free software. The second case is where a free software -project is currently using an MIT-like licence or the LGPL and fear -`GPL infection'. The third case, which often overlaps with the -second, is where another free software project currently using a -GPL-incompatible licence, wishes to use adns. +this request: the first is where another free software project +currently using a GPL-incompatible licence, wishes to use adns. The +second case, which often overlaps with the first, is where a free +software project is currently using an MIT-like licence or the LGPL +and fear `GPL infection'. The third case is where someone is +developing a proprietary program and wishes to make use of adns but +doesn't wish to make their program free software -1. Proprietary applications of adns ------------------------------------ - -So, let me get this straight. You're writing a proprietary -program, by which I mean that you will not be distributing source code -and not allowing users to modify and share your software; most likely -you are doing this for your own (personal or corporate) financial -gain. +1. GPL-incompatible free software licences +------------------------------------------ -However, you want to take advantage of adns, software which I have -spent my time and effort on, and which I release as free software so -that everyone can improve, share and use it. +Regrettably, there are a number of free software licences (and +semi-free licences) in existence which are not compatible with the +GPL. That is, they impose restrictions which are not present in the +GPL, and therefore distributing a whole work which contains both such +a program and a GPL'd program is not possible: either the combination +would have to be distributed under the GPL (violating the restrictions +made by the original author), or under the GPL-incompatible licence +(violating the GPL). -Don't you think that is a little hypocritical ? I'm sorry, but I -don't want you to just take my nice convenient software, without -giving something back to the free software community or giving the -same rights to your users as I do to you. +I may be prepared to make exceptions for such a licence. Please +contact me at with the full text +of the GPL-incompatible licence. However, I would usually prefer it +if you could use a GPL-compatible licence for your project instead. -If you really aren't the nasty kind of person I've described here, for -example if you have a good reason other than your own selfishness for -wanting to restrict distribution of your program, then perhaps you -should contact me to discuss it. +I have already issued some waivers for certain projects. These are +reproduced in LICENCE.WAIVERS. 2. GPL-avoiding projects (MIT licence, et al) @@ -96,25 +93,26 @@ free software licensing, visit: at http://www.fsf.org/philosophy/why-not-lgpl.html -3. GPL-incompatible free software licences ------------------------------------------- +3. Proprietary applications of adns +----------------------------------- -Regrettably, there are a number of free software licences (and -semi-free licences) in existence which are not compatible with the -GPL. That is, they impose restrictions which are not present in the -GPL, and therefore distributing a whole work which contains both such -a program and a GPL'd program is not possible: either the combination -would have to be distributed under the GPL (violating the restrictions -made by the original author), or under the GPL-incompatible licence -(violating the GPL). +This applies to you if you are writing a proprietary program, by which +I mean that you will not be distributing source code and not allowing +users to modify and share your software; most likely you are doing +this for your own (personal or corporate) financial gain. -I may be prepared to make exceptions for such a licence. Please -contact me at with the full text -of the GPL-incompatible licence. However, I would usually prefer it -if you could use a GPL-compatible licence for your project instead. +In this case the copyleft GPL licence does not meet your needs. +Instead, you will need to negotiate a separate proprietary licence for +adns. + +The List Price for a proprietary but LGPL-compatible application which +uses adns is EUR150,000 per program per 10,000 users or part thereof. +Discounts may be available, particularly if I approve of your product. +So, if you are serious about proprietary software, and paying for the +software that you use, please contact me to negotiate a good deal. --- Ian Jackson 17.9.2000 +-- Ian Jackson 22.5.2004 Local variables: