[sword-devel] Sword license

[Joe Walker]

My understanding is that all the GPL obliges you to do is release the 
code under GPL. It does not stop you releasing it under the GPL AND 
another MIT/BSD style license (so long as there is no ad. clause conflict)
Many projects like Mozilla and MySQL (IIRC) are released under 2 licences.

So if there are questions of copyright polution as a result of reading 
JSword code, you may well be able to dual license. However IANAL of course.

I don't understand how there can be a problem for GPL code to link *TO* 
non-GPL code. The GPL uses the word "derived" and not "linked" and the 
standard copyright definition of "derived works" is a very one way process.
So I don't understand people that claim you can't have a GPL Java 
program because it has to link to non-GPL code. It sounds like Squeak 
might be the same.

However this might be getting a bit off topic.

Joe.

Jimmie Houchin wrote:

> I have a question about the Sword license.
>
> From what I see the source code is GPL. In many instances I have no 
> problem with the GPL. In general I have no problem with Sword being GPL.
>
> If I read the Sword/JSword source code and from that 
> design/information write (port would be accurate?) classes, methods, 
> etc. in Squeak to process Sword Modules would I be obligated to also 
> use the GPL?
>
> The reason I ask is because of the viral nature of the GPL. GPL is not 
> appropriate for any non-GPLed Smalltalk. Smalltalk source is in an 
> image. All of it is linked by GPL definition. Any use of GPL code in a 
> Smalltalk image compels the entire image to be GPLed. This is not 
> possible.
>
> I have no problem with whatever source I create/port being similarly 
> open and requirements for modifications and derivations also being 
> similarly licensed. The GPL itself cannot be used in Squeak. RMS has 
> so stated (from my understanding from mailing lists posts).
>
> I hate to contribute to the proliferation of licenses. But is 
> Crosswire open to such a variance for image based systems like Smalltalk?
> ie: a dual license? I do not necessarily no which license would be 
> most appropriate for Crosswire. The Squeak License makes no 
> obligations for use of source. It is more close to the MIT or BSD 
> licenses.
>
> Thanks for any help in understanding my options.
>
> Jimmie Houchin
>
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