Using OpenSource software in closed source componies (how ?)

[Shlomi Fish]

On Friday 20 Nov 2009 00:18:03 Boris shtrasman wrote:
> Well my question arises after reading nmap copy file: (
> http://nmap.org/svn/COPYING)
> 
>  * o Integrates source code from Nmap                                     
>  * * o Reads or includes Nmap copyrighted data files, such as              
>   * *   nmap-os-db or nmap-service-probes.                                 
>    * * o Executes Nmap and parses the results (as opposed to typical shell
>  or  * *   execution-menu apps, which simply display raw Nmap output and so
>  are  * *   not derivative works.)                                         
>        * * o Integrates/includes/aggregates Nmap into a proprietary
>  executable     * *   installer, such as those produced by InstallShield.  
>                  * * o Links to a library or executes a program that does
>  any of the above   * *                                                    
>                      *

Wow! That seems like a gross mis-interpretation of what a derivative work 
means, and I don't think the FSF supports it to this exterme extent. A 
software which poses such restrictions may possibly not be free. The nmap 
originators cannot make claim for programs that executes nmap and parses its 
results (as long as the parsing code is 100% original), because this is not 
linking and so is not considered derivative works according to the traditional 
FSF interpretation.

Of course, once nmap has made its software GPLed, there's little they can do 
to stop the devil from escaping. They can give their own absurd interpretation 
of the GPL or what "derivative works" mean, but I believe the law is on the 
side of my interpretation.

Regards,

	Shlomi Fish

> 
> On Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 12:03 AM, Shlomi Fish <shlomif at iglu.org.il> wrote:
> > On Thursday 19 Nov 2009 23:24:04 Boris Shtrasman wrote:
> > > Howdy ,
> > >
> > > I'm a foss  developer ,so i prefer to use tested techniques and good
> > >  software. recently i found myself in a problem:
> > > I'm reimplementing good Foss solutions (parts of rsyslog , nmap , etc
> > > ...
> >
> > )
> >
> > > I can speed up my work (C++ developer) by using allready created GPLv3
> >
> > and
> >
> > >  MIT software.
> > >
> > > As i see i need to use rsync (any variant) in closed source project in
> >
> > the
> >
> > > next manner:
> > > application A calls rsync to upload to a file to remote server.
> > > (it is GPLv3 license afaik).
> > >
> > > Reading the license i didn't get a definitive answer.
> > >
> > > So when in need to develop with close source what is the way to use GPL
> > >  tools ?
> > > As in plain binaries (no use in source code or  source encapsulation).
> >
> > If you're just executing GPLed binaries (using fork()+execve() or Win32's
> > CreateProcess), then they can be executed from code of any licence,
> > including
> > proprietary licences. Only if you link to GPLed sources or include them
> > inside
> > your program, then you must release them under a GPL compatible licence.
> > But
> > it's possible for you to call other GPLv2/GPLv3 programs freely.
> >
> > Thanks , that clears the issue for me .
> >
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> >        Shlomi Fish
> >
> > --
> > -----------------------------------------------------------------
> > Shlomi Fish       http://www.shlomifish.org/
> > http://www.shlomifish.org/humour/ways_to_do_it.html
> >
> > Chuck Norris read the entire English Wikipedia in 24 hours. Twice.
> 

-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Shlomi Fish       http://www.shlomifish.org/
Understand what Open Source is - http://shlom.in/oss-fs

Chuck Norris read the entire English Wikipedia in 24 hours. Twice.