[Fwd: MySQL Licensing Question]

["Glenn A. Thompson" <gt...@cdr.net>]

Hey:

Back from my rock just for a moment.
I sent some license questions off to MySQL.  Here is the response.  I'm
not completely comfortable with the response.
I think I check with our lawyers and maybe have them steer me from here.
Overall, I'm not concerned as I will be supporting more than one DB long
term.

gat

Iko Rein wrote:

> Dear Glenn A. Thompson,
>
> > I'm working on a Subversion FS module which uses ODBC.
> >
> > The MySQLODBC licensing is messing with my head a little.
> >
> > Subversion is licensed under the Apache style license.
> >
> > Is there any licensing conflict here?
>
> I guess you mean Subversion, that can be found at
> http://subversion.tigris.org/project_status.html
>
> MySQL and MyODBC are licensed under the GPL, which
> is much stricter license, than the one, that is used with
> Subversion. Our policy has been, that if you just build
> an application, that you link with MyODBC and you
> don't sell that application, you can use MyODBC without
> the fear of inheriting GPL to your application.
>
> > Also, if a end user chose to use MySQL with Subversion in a
> > commercial enterprise::
>
> Using MySQL in a commercial enterprise is not bad
> thing. If they use MySQL under the GPL and/or don't
> distribute MySQL, they can use MySQL for free under
> the GPL license.
>
> > What exposure would they have in terms of them having
> > proprietary code linked into the program linked to Subversion
> > which uses MySQL via ODBC? Shoo a mouthful.
>
> Basic case: MySQL & MyODBC are GPL => Subversion
> should be GPL => their code would be GPL. But if
> you have gotten from us the right to use MySQL &
> MyODBC with Subversion without Subversion becoming
> GPL, then the proprietary code would have no fear
> of inheriting the GPL.
> This is similar to the PHP/Apache/MySQL type of question.
> PHP application (almost) never become GPL, even if they
> would use MySQL. (Only exception is, if you use Zend
> to hide the source code).
>
> > I'm just trying to make sure that the Subversion license is not
> > at risk.
>
> Kind Regards,
> MySQL AB
>
> Iko Rein
> --
> For technical support contracts, goto https://order.mysql.com/?ref=imr
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