RE: MySQL in the future?

I think the intro para quoted below is an oversimplification of the license policy--and one that (understandably) favors MySQL AB. My reading of that page is that it's the *distribution* of the MySQL source code (modified or not) or binaries that requires you to have a commercial license.

I take this:

> 2. Free use for those who never copy, modify or distribute
>
> As long as you never distribute (internally or externally)
> the MySQL Software in any way, you are free to use it for
> powering your application, irrespective of whether your
> application is under GPL or other OSI approved license or
> not.
>
> More specifically:
>
> Modifying - You are allowed to modify MySQL Software source
> code any way you like. If you distribute the modified
> version, all changes, all interface code and all code that
> connects directly or indirectly to the interface code fall
> under GPL.
>
> Copying - You are allowed to copy MySQL binaries and source
> code, but when you do so, the copies will fall under the GPL
> license.

to mean that apps that just run against MySQL do not have to be GPL'd. I'd bet you could even sell a commercial app that required MySQL to run, so long as you made your customers get & install their own copies of MySQL (that is, you did not distribute it yourself).

But I haven't actually read the GPL, so I could be wrong...

Roy Pardee
Programmer/Analyst/DBA
SWFPAC Lockheed Martin IT
Extension 8487

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2003 3:25 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L

It seems (almost) clear to me from the text at http://www.mysql.com/products/licensing.html "This is our licensing policy in brief: Our software is 100% GPL, and if yours is also 100% GPL (or OSI compliant), then you never have to pay us for the licences. In all other instances, you are better served by our commercial licence."

If your application is 100% GPL (Gnu Public License) then you can use mySQL for free.
If your application is NOT 100% GPL then you can use mySQL but you have to pay for it.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Richard Ji [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> What? Are you sure? My understanding is if I make changes to MySql
> code or some addon to MySql I need to submit my changes bakc to public
> and GPL. That what the whole dispute between MySQL the
> company and the
> community before, right?
>
> But my application too? For just using it? What about all
> those sites
> running Apache, will they have to make their appliction GPL
> because they
> are using Linux/Apache?

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