Using OpenSource software in closed source componies (how ?)

[Tzafrir Cohen]

On Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 12:44:51AM +0200, 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 

Anyone may interprete it as they wish. The FSF also has its own
interpretation of the GNU GPL documented in the GPL FAQ. That does not
make it part of the written license.

They mention one exception there - the OpenSSL one. And it is pretty
standard.

Note that the interpretation of the copyrights holders is important: it
is the copyrights holders that may actually sue you if [they think that]
you violated their license. Thus violating their point of view here
risks you a trial. But this does not mean that they'll win it.

-- 
Tzafrir Cohen         | tzafrir at jabber.org | VIM is
http://tzafrir.org.il |                    | a Mutt's
tzafrir at cohens.org.il |                    |  best
ICQ# 16849754         |                    | friend