Przemyslaw Czerpak wrote:
On Fri, 13 Mar 2009, Phil Barnett wrote:
Hi Phil,
The reason for the Harbour exception was so that we could include the macro
compiler inside distributed executables without violating the GPL.
Can you explain it?
The macro compiler code is on exactly the same license as rest of Harbour
HVM/RTL code.
I do not ubnderstand why it needs some special excpetion and other things
not.
Without the exception, I can't write propprietary code and release my
executable as non GPL because it's always linked to GPL code which makes
my executable subject to the GPL. The exception states that if I include
the macro compiler inside my otherwise nonGPL code, it does not make my
code GPL.
The GPL license is viewed by many to be a viral license. It pretty much
makes everything it comes in contact with subject to the GPL.
Simply put, the Harbour Exception to the GPL allows Harbour users to
compile proprietary code, link the macro compiler and not break the
terms of the GPL on the proprietary code. They can keep their code
private, they are not forced to reveal it.
Since the GPL is a license invoked by each copyright holder, not some
external entity, it is entirely up to the copyright holder to determine
distribution rights. Thus anyone who invokes the GPL license on their
code (our source code) can also make an exception to the GPL, and that
is exactly how our exemption is used. Each copyright holder of parts of
the Harbour compiler have licensed it via the GPL plus our exception.
Perfectly legal and it eliminates one of the viral aspects of the GPL
license that does not suit our purposes.
If I recall correctly, we also have a part of the exception that
excludes the macro compiler from being wrapped and being presented under
a copyright. This keeps our work safe from someone wrapping it and
invoking the exception. That is the exception to our exception. Without
going back and looking at the verbiage I don't recall if that actually
made it in. It was certainly discussed.
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