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  • 24-11-2009 11:09am
    #1
    pwd
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,284 ✭✭✭


    I'm a research postgrad in a commercialisation project.
    I've developed a rich internet application.
    I cannot release the source code for it.
    I want to integrate it with a web application that is available under gpl2.
    The rich internet application is a separate application entirely. I don't think it would call any code in the open source application.
    The open source project would need to be modified a bit to embed the ria, and refer to it, but there would be no problem in distributing the modifiied open source project.

    So I'm pretty sure that I don't need to distribute the source for the ria, but only for the adapted version of the open source software...Right?

    If I don't distribute the application at all, but deploy it on a Website, I assume I need to make the adapted code available also?

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    BaconZombie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,813 ✭✭✭BaconZombie


    if ALL the code is your own you can put it under a closed license, like the way Nvidia & ATI do with their evil drivers.

    But any changes you make to a *nix OS will need to supplied due to the OS been under GPL {GPL2?}.

    Edit:

    On a sidenote, if the code has EVERY been under the GPL license then you can't put it under a different one {without forking it}.


  • #3
    pwd
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,284 ✭✭✭pwd


    By os in that context I meant open source, not operating system. I'll edit the original post because it is misleading.

    Yup the code is entirely my own. Completely separate application. It's just embedded in open source software.

    Thanks for the response


  • #4
    BaconZombie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,813 ✭✭✭BaconZombie


    Them any of the code in the already GPL'd code will have to be released under GPL as well.
    Plus if IIRC you will not be able to ship both products together.
    pwd wrote: »
    By os in that context I meant open source, not operating system. I'll edit the original post because it is misleading.

    Yup the code is entirely my own. Completely separate application. It's just embedded in open source software.

    Thanks for the response


  • #5
    croo
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 1,336 Mod ✭✭✭✭croo


    A couple of points.
    pwd wrote: »
    The open source project would need to be modified a bit to embed the ria, and refer to it, but there would be no problem in distributing the modifiied open source project.
    Of course this assumes the open source project will accept your modifications. On the open source projects I am involved with there is a policy NOT to accept changes that tie in closed source. Of course as it is GPL you are free to distribute your version of the code.

    pwd wrote: »
    So I'm pretty sure that I don't need to distribute the source for the ria, but only for the adapted version of the open source software...Right?
    Right.
    pwd wrote: »
    If I don't distribute the application at all, but deploy it on a Website, I assume I need to make the adapted code available also?
    Actually, No. unless it is covered by an aGPL license making the functionality of hte open source project available via a website is not considered distribution and so you have no obligation to release any code... even your modified GPL code. I must admit this was a surprise to me but I just recently had a discussion with some FSF lawyers on this topic.


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