Fuzzyman wrote: > I think that is an incorrect reading of the thread. > > The *Python* developers need a valid Visual Studio license to > redistribute msvcr71.dll. > > When you build an app with py2exe you are just bundling Python with > your application and so don't need the license.
Here is a summary of my understanding of the "problem", mind you that I am not a lawayer: The Python.org developers use a properly licensed VC7 to build Python. Under the EULA they can redistribute msvcr71.dll along with Python. Anyone can distribute Python from Python.org, and msvcr71.dll is a part of this software. Thus, it is at least legally to distribute a Python MSI installer from Python.org. If you make a Python program, you can distribute Python along with the program. I.e. you don't need a VC7 license to sell software that someone else has made and includes msvcr71.dll. For Py2Exe things are a bit more complicated. It rips Python.Runtime.dll from the Python directory, and renames it Python24.dll. Python24.dll then depends on msvcr71.dll. It's not obvious that one can still legally distribute msvcr71.dll along with Python24.dll, even if Python.Runtime.dll was built with a legally licensed VC7. It is possible that Python24.dll or msvcr71.dll in the process looses it status as licensee software from Python.org's VC7.The Python.org team don't care about the issue, it seems. If they did care, they could settle the issue by putting up a zip-file with Python24.dll and msvcr71.dll for download. I don't think they quite understand how important Py2Exe is on Windows. Buying a VC7 license is cheaper than paying a lawyer that understands the problem. However, even with a VC7 license you can only redistribute msvcr71.dll with software you build your self - so you need to build Python your self and not use a Python24.dll ripped from Python.org's Python distro. But then ... who cares? Microsoft wants you to make software for their OS. They even have their own version of Python for free download (aka IronPython). A MS lawyer harassing you for legal details regarding msvcr71.dll is beyond unlikely, although you never know. You can play nice and ask Microsoft for permission to put msvcr71.dll inside your Py2Exe'd Python app. Whether they will respond or grant permission I don't know. Finally, patent issues are more important when making software for a living. Are you sure nobody has a broad patent covering parts of your software? These are often held by parasitic companies that use broad software patents as spider webs to catch prey. They will suck blood from you if they can, and give you less than nothing in return, something Microsoft probably will not do. Microsoft makes and sells software, including the Windows operating system, patent sharks just thrive off their patents. Being sued by one of those are far more likely. -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
