on 06/25/2008 10:28 AM Michael Conklin wrote:
Spencer Graves wrote:
If you want to hide the fact that you are using R -- especially
if >you charge people for your software that uses R clandestinely --
that's a >violation of the license (GPL). I doubt if anyone associated
with R would >bother with a lawsuit, but a competitor who offers related
software might. >
Best Wishes,
Spencer
Do I understand the implication of the license correctly (forgive my
ignorance here).
If I analyze a client's data using an R script I created then I can
charge the client a $20,000 consulting fee, but, if I let the client
push the button to execute the R script and charge him 10 cents for the
privilege then I can be sued for violating the GPL? Or are my
assumptions on the first part also incorrect and R can only be used for
the free betterment of mankind?
Mike
Caveat: IANAL
Strictly speaking, the GPL really only applies if you plan to distribute
binary software to end users that contains or links to R Foundation
source code or CRAN packages licensed under the GPL.
In such a situation, the so-called 'viral' part of the GPL would require
that you make your source code available as well.
If you are not distributing binary software under those circumstances,
then you need not make your source code available, any more than if you
were to analyze data using any other application, GPL or otherwise.
Using R as the basis for a web based application (eg. ASP, SaaS) is not
covered under GPL version *2*, which is how R is presently licensed.
However GPL *3*, strictly speaking the GNU Affero GPL version 3, DOES
cover such circumstances. If the R Foundation or other R package
contributors should modify their current licensing approach, this might
come into play and you need to consider that if you plan to move forward
with such a business model. You would need to consider where your value
proposition is. In the intellectual property or in the value add service?
More information is here:
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/quick-guide-gplv3.html
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#UnreleasedMods
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#AGPLv3InteractingRemotely
HTH,
Marc Schwartz
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