Using OpenSource software in closed source componies (how ?)

[guy keren]

Shlomi Fish wrote:
> 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.

the thing is - they write that their software is distributed under the 
terms of the GPL _with a list of exceptions and clarifications_ - which 
means they are using a modified version of the GPL. in this case, the 
interpretation of the FSF has nothing to do with nmap's license.

and of-course, nmaps license has no bearing on the interpretation of a 
non-modified GPL license.

--guy