[asterisk-users] [OT] Re: Licensing question.

[Kevin P. Fleming]

On 11/08/2011 07:54 PM, Raj Mathur (राज माथुर) wrote:
> On Wednesday 09 Nov 2011, Kevin P. Fleming wrote:
>> [snip]
>> * The GPLv2 places no restrictions on what you can 'write', it only
>> places restrictions on your distribution of things that you write
>> that could be considered 'derivative works' of a GPLv2-covered work
>> (in this case, Asterisk). If you write something that could be
>> considered a derivative work, and you wish to distribute it, then
>> the GPLv2 obligates you to distribute that work under the GPLv2 or a
>> compatible license.
>
> Minor nitpick: a derivative of a GPLv2 work can only be released under
> the GPLv2, or a licence so similar to GPLv2 as to be indistinguishable
> from it.  You cannot distribute a GPLv2 derived work under, e.g. a BSD
> or Artistic licence.

This is strictly true, but of course any decisions to allow or disallow 
distribution of a derived work are made by the party(ies) who 
distributed the original work under the GPLv2; if they choose to allow 
distribution under more permissive licenses, they can certainly do so.

-- 
Kevin P. Fleming
Digium, Inc. | Director of Software Technologies
Jabber: kfleming at digium.com | SIP: kpfleming at digium.com | Skype: kpfleming
445 Jan Davis Drive NW - Huntsville, AL 35806 - USA
Check us out at www.digium.com & www.asterisk.org