Re: GPL again (was IFS in RPG)

["John Taylor" <jtaylor@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hans,


> As pointed out before, if you use GPL code in your project, it only
> becomes an issue if you want to distribute the application.  For
> strictly in-house use, it should not be an issue.

I think it is an issue. Perhaps not from the developers point of view, but
certainly from the owners.

It seems to be clear (see my response to Buck) that by including GPL code
within a software system, one is agreeing to license the entire system under
the GPL. Perhaps they choose not to distibute it, but that doesn't change
the fact that it now becomes GPL. For all intents and purposes, what one is
doing here is devaluing an significant asset of the corporation/employer.
Should the corporation ever be put up for sale, how will the loss of this
asset affect the value to the buyer?

> But to the present discussion, if you want to distribute a service
> program, the more appropriate open source license is the LGPL, which
> is like GPL, but does not force its terms on the code that calls the
> service program.

I agree.


John Taylor