samba - Dec 2009 - License agreement

Hello,


I plan to create a commercial software that would automate the running of a few
IT security tools and build a nice report, in order to help security auditors in
their work.
I saw your smbclient tool that could be really appropriate. As this tool is
GPL'd, I would like to make sure you agree with the usage (running and
parsing) I plan. Of course, should you have any requirement (e.g. quoting the
tool or adding some mention), please let me know.

I'm looking forward to your answer,
Best regards,

Vincent

With GPL software, you don't have to ask permission (and you can't ask
permission here anyway, since most people on this list - including me - are
simply users, not authorized to speak on behalf of the Samba copyright holders).
You must meet certain terms, though.

Hire an intellectual-property lawyer who is familiar with the GPL to determine
exactly which terms apply to your situation. There actually are many proprietary
products that use Samba, so it can be done.

The general rules are:

You can redistribute GPL code freely as long as you also redistribute the source
code.

You can make any changes you like, as long as you also redistribute the changed
version under the GPL (and make the source code available).

Now if you want to use it in a proprietary product, your easiest option is to
change your product's licensing, and also make it available under the GPL.

Or you can keep smbclient segregated from your code. I believe usually the rule
is: if you link to GPL software, you must GPL your software as well. If you
merely use it as a separate utility, you can use your own license without a
problem.

Of course, you are always free to contact Andrew Tridgell directly to ask if he
is willing to license Samba to you under different terms (and of course
you'd have to pay for that privilege). To be honest, my guess is that
chances are likely very slim.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: samba-bounces at lists.samba.org [mailto:samba-
> bounces at lists.samba.org] On Behalf Of Vincent Maury
> Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 3:29 AM
> To: samba at samba.org
> Subject: [Samba] License agreement
> 
> Hello,
> 
> 
> I plan to create a commercial software that would automate the running
> of a few IT security tools and build a nice report, in order to help
> security auditors in their work.
> I saw your smbclient tool that could be really appropriate. As this
> tool is GPL'd, I would like to make sure you agree with the usage
> (running and parsing) I plan. Of course, should you have any
> requirement (e.g. quoting the tool or adding some mention), please let
> me know.
> 
> I'm looking forward to your answer,
> Best regards,
> 
> Vincent
> 
> 
> 
> --
> To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read the
> instructions:  https://lists.samba.org/mailman/options/samba

On Mon, Dec 07, 2009 at 11:28:39AM +0000, Vincent Maury
wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> 
> I plan to create a commercial software that would automate the running of a
few IT security tools and build a nice report, in order to help security
auditors in their work.
> I saw your smbclient tool that could be really appropriate. As this tool is
GPL'd, I would like to make sure you agree with the usage (running and
parsing) I plan. Of course, should you have any requirement (e.g. quoting the
tool or adding some mention), please let me know.
> 
> I'm looking forward to your answer,
The only thing you need to do is to give your customers an
offer to receive the source code for the smbclient binary
you are using in your product, as required in the GPLv3
licence that smbclient is released under.

You don't need to quote your use of Samba (although
that is always appreciated :-).

If you have any follow up questions Simo is our license
compliance expert, so I suggest you follow up with him
(idra at samba.org).

Cheers,

	Jeremy.