Hi All; I have a GPL question - sorry if it's way off topic. We're pushing on a system that collects a variety of data points and pulls them into a single report. One of the modules we use is a 3rd party tool that generates an html report which equates to one of the pages on the report that's then delivered to the customer. In this scenario is the code that generates all the other modules/pages of the report subject to the GPL as well? Thanks in advance
On Wed, 2010-09-08 at 15:15 -0600, Kevin Kempter wrote:> > In this scenario is the code that generates all the other > modules/pages of the > report subject to the GPL as well?When in doubt, talk to a lawyer. Having said that: It's my understanding that when you use GPL software only within your company, that doesn't count as "distribution". -- MELVILLE THEATRE ~ Melville Sask ~ http://www.melvilletheatre.com
On 9/8/2010 4:15 PM, Kevin Kempter wrote:> Hi All; > > I have a GPL question - sorry if it's way off topic. > > > We're pushing on a system that collects a variety of data points and pulls > them into a single report. One of the modules we use is a 3rd party tool that > generates an html report which equates to one of the pages on the report > that's then delivered to the customer. > > In this scenario is the code that generates all the other modules/pages of the > report subject to the GPL as well?The answer might be complicated since it depends on whether the combined parts become a derivative work under copyright law. In general, programs that run separately as independent steps an a process would not be derivatives of any other, while libraries or source combined in a single process probably are. Things with a dynamic linking modular interface are sort of a gray area, especially if the recipient is expected to obtain and add modules on their own terms as necessary. -- Les Mikesell lesmikesell at gmail.com