[Asterisk-Users] Help with GPL license of Asterisk

[Thorsten Lockert]

Uh.  This is *not* how the GPL works.  The GPL clearly states that anything
you write that links with GPL will be covered by GPL, and thus if you
release
it in binary form you are also obliged to release it in source form.  The
same goes for modules for Asterisk (unless you have a non-GPL license for
it).

To achieve the kind of scenario you describe you'd need a BSDD license, or
something close to that.

Thorsten


-----Original Message-----
From: asterisk-users-admin at lists.digium.com
[mailto:asterisk-users-admin at lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Troy Settle
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2003 9:59
To: asterisk-users at lists.digium.com


A few answers:

1) if your application is not released to a 3rd party, you do not have
to make the source available

2) if you build your application as a module that loads into a stock
asterisk server, you do not have to disclose your source

3) if you need to make changes to the core in order for your application
to work, you'll need to disclose source for your changes to the core,
but not for your application.  This sounds horrid, but it's not too bad,
as your simply augmenting the core API and keeping your goodies in the
binary only portion of the release.

With that said, if you're writing an application that you would like to
sell, your IP lawyer should be able to easily decipher the GPL and
advise you as to which parts of your code need to be made public.



--
  Troy Settle
  Pulaski Networks
  http://www.psknet.com
  540.994.4254 ~ 866.477.5638
  Pulaski Chamber 2002 Small Business Of The Year
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: asterisk-users-admin at lists.digium.com 
> [mailto:asterisk-users-admin at lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of costas 
> Sent: Monday, September 29, 2003 8:38 AM
> To: asterisk-users at lists.digium.com
> Subject: [Asterisk-Users] Help with GPL license of Asterisk
> 
> 
> I would appreciate some help with this. I read the GPL 
> license and basically it says you can do whatever you want 
> with the software (sell, modify) as long as you include the 
> source code, the License and make any changes you make 
> available in the same manner to all others.
> 
> My questions is this: If I develop an external application 
> (say a Call Center application or a GUI management 
> application) that uses Asterisk data is that also GPLd? I 
> understand if I add code to Asterisk, but what about external 
> interfaces?
> 
> Where is the seperation here of the Cathedral and the Bazaar?
> 
> Thanks
> 
> --
> Costas Menico
> Meezon Software Corp
> 201-224-8111
> costas at meezon.com
> 
> --
> _______________________________________________
> Asterisk-Users mailing list
> Asterisk-Users at lists.digium.com
> http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
> 

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