Sun picks GPL license for Java code

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nota: I am not talking about source code compiled with GPLed Java and needing GPLed runtime dependancies, as i already stated there is a provision for these, just as GCC does.

Neither am I. That's the "classpath exception" mentioned in 1), above. That's also the "linking exception" used by some GPL'd libraries.

Conlusion Two : BSD environment can only be lossely linked with modified JVM Overall

Yes, that's 2) above. That action is called "aggregation" and the GPL specifically allows such. Do you have to release the modifications to your JVM, yes. Can you aggregate that JVM with modified binary-only BSD software and not release the modifications? Yes.

Only GPL based software can take advantage of open sourced java if no contractual agreement is made with sun.

You're correct only in the specific case of trying to link the GPL'd JVM not the classes with a bit of modified BSD code that you don't want to release. If such was your intent to example; your clarity was somewhat lacking - as many times as I read that original post, I don't see an indication that's what you meant.

You can release under any license any program you write over the Java platform (JVM+classes) you wish via the classpath exception. You can release any aggregation of software under any license you wish with the aggregation exception. You do not need a special license from Sun for either one. That's the standard interpretation of the FOSS world of these exceptions. Both have been discussed endlessly in many forums.

However, no-one's interpretation of the Java GPL plus exceptions, neither yours nor mine, really matters. As you allude to: Sun is the arbiter of what the GPL means to them. If you have any questions for what you want to do, and think it might violate the letter or spirit of the GPL or Sun's classpath exception; write them and ask them.

PS: ZD-Net censors apparently don't like a five letter word meaning "breach in the armour" ("chunk"=~s/u/i/). I hope you didn't read the censoring as an omitted slur!

Posted by: John Le'Brecage   Posted on: 11/13/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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