Re: [ossig] CA open-sources Ingres database - News & Technology - CNETAsia

[Kenneth Wong <ken@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Wednesday 26 May 2004 09:13, Dinesh Nair wrote:
> On Wed, 26 May 2004, Kenneth Wong wrote:
> > version of MySQL. For instance, if your ERP product tightly linked
> > into the MySQL libraries for database functions, then you'd
> > probably want the proprietary MySQL, rather than the GPL version.
>
> it's got nothing to do with linking with mysql libraries. 

If it's GPL mysql, then it's got everything to do with linking to mysql 
libraries cause the "share-alike" portion of the GPL kicks in. 

> if your app 
> is under an OSS license, then you can use the GPL version of mysql.
> otherwise, pony up for a mysql license fee.

<this part refers to GPL licensed version of MySQL> 

The above example assumes person does not want to OSS their ERP product 
but must tightly link with mysql libraries (thereby invoking GPL). For 
this, use the commercial license. An OSS ERP library like Apache 
Geronimo (Apache-ish license) and JBOSS (LGPL) integrates fine with the 
GPL version of mysql, since they get turned GPL too.  

However, if you are not using MySQL in a way that invokes the GPL (read 
GPL for specifics), then you can still use your non-OSS app with the 
GPL version of mysql. 

It's not necessarily true that if app != OSS, must pay license fee. 
That's FUD MySQL sells to make you buy their licenses.

</end GPL licensed version>

Btw, the FAQ at: http://www.mysql.com/products/licensing/ is confusing. 
They say at the start, "Our software is 100% GPL" and continue to say, 
"Under the Open Source License, you must release the complete source 
code for the application that is built on MySQL." 

Which license is it? If it's GPL, why not call it GPL? If it's a 
separate Open Source License, then it's really badly written. 

I am not a lawyer. Standard disclaimers apply.

-- 
Kenneth Wong
IOSN Programme Consultant, UNDP-APDIP, Malaysia
DID: +603 2091 5169 Fax: +603 2093 9740
International Open Source Network: http://www.iosn.net
UNDP Asia Pacific Development Information Programme:
http://www.apdip.net


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