[Qgis-developer] Directions needed for GSOC Proposal

[Vincent Picavet]

Hi,

> So, the statement "you can import/link proprietary code into gpl code,
> provided you have a license to do it." should be extended with "if you add
> an exception to the license", right?
No, it's a general statement, reread my post.

> So the problem is that QGis license should contain these exceptions on
> behalf of all the plugins? I mean, can't I add the exception to my plugin?
No. The problem is that you want to link to non-free software and you can't.
Just don't do it and you'll be fine.

Vincent

> 
> giovanni
> 
> 
> 2012/3/26 Vincent Picavet <vincent.ml at oslandia.com>
> 
> > Hi,
> > Well, this is not an easy topic, but everything is answered in the GNU
> > FAQ on
> > licences :
> > http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html
> > To shorten a bit and in relation to what has been said before.
> > 
> > There is an exception to the GPL licence for system libraries. It does
> > not apply here, as we are talking about application software.
> > 
> > Generally, you can link to a non-free library from a GPL code if  you
> > deliver
> > your GPL code with a specific exception for that non-free library. That
> > means
> > you have to be able to choose the licence for your code, Therefore you
> > have to
> > be the code author AND you have to be free to choose the licence.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > If your code is already part of a GPL program (say QGIS), you have to
> > redistribute your code under the same GPL licence, and you cannot add
> > such an
> > exception, therefore you cannot link to this non-free library.
> > 
> > Of course in any (legally possible) case you want to be sure you have all
> > the
> > needed rights on the non-free library side.
> > 
> > Keep in mind that a Python «import» is considered being a library link,
> > and please do read the aforementionned FAQ, it contains all the
> > necessary elements
> > for you to fully understand the (difficult) matter.
> > 
> > Vincent
> > 
> > Le lundi 26 mars 2012 16:16:57, G. Allegri a écrit :
> > > I would really appreciate if you could explain me this point,
> > > seriously.
> > > 
> > > giovanni
> > > 
> > > 2012/3/26 G. Allegri <giohappy at gmail.com>
> > > 
> > > > I apologize for my ignorance, could you explain me the differences?
> > > > You say that I cannot do an import in python to load ArcGIS code, but
> > > > here you say that I can import/link proprietary code in GPL code.I
> > > > see
> > 
> > a
> > 
> > > > contradiction here.
> > > > I apologize again if I cannot get to the point...
> > > > 
> > > > giovanni
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 2012/3/26 Paolo Cavallini <cavallini at faunalia.it>
> > > > 
> > > >> Il 26/03/2012 15:08, G. Allegri ha scritto:
> > > >> > Have I misunderstood it?
> > > >> 
> > > >> yes
> > > >> --
> > > >> Paolo Cavallini - Faunalia
> > > >> www.faunalia.eu
> > > >> Full contact details at www.faunalia.eu/pc