On Sat, 2004-01-24 at 23:02, Wouter van Ooijen wrote:
> > Frankly I'm not a big fan of the GPL, preferring the LGPL instead. I
> > feel that the GPL is a bit too strict and can lead to a lack
> > of sharing.
>
> You'd better re-read the LGPL, it does not allow (much) more sharing
> than GPL. I have been looking for a more appropriate license for my
> stuff (including the Jal libraries) too, but have not found one yet.

>From my reading of the GPL and LGPL, there is a significant difference
with regard to embedded systems.

I believe that the GPL requires sharing in all situations where code is
statically linked...  There are exceptions when application code calls
dynamic system modules, but there prob. wouldn't be any of these modules
on a PIC.  I believe this (the static linkage) covers all embedded
applications except perhaps code which is loaded at run time through
some type of bootloader (think serial eeprom as source of custom stuff,
with GPL'd code living constantly in program memory, program starts,
looks for flag, and does self program with contents of serial eeprom).
Otherwise, using any GPL code in an embedded unit would require you to
release all the code you added, plus the stuff you got for free.  There
might be exceptions, but the intent of the GPL is to bring as much into
free as possible.  Basically, if you include a header file, and that
header file is GPL, you've included GPL code in your code....you must
release.

The LGPL on the other hand, makes the distinction between library code
and task/application code.  It allows for a better mix between
proprietary code and open code.  You might not be required to release
your application code if you have not modified the library, and only use
documented system calls.  If you didn't modify the library, I'm not sure
if you have to release it.  You could further this distinction by
setting your application in one codepage and having the library located
in another, just to draw the line in the sand as it were, with the
ability to show that the binary is the same regardless of your code's
addition.

I'm sure there are a few more subtleties to this, I recommend reading it
for yourself.

Just my $0.02..... Read more on the GPL and LGPL at the FSF

http://www.fsf.org/



Dan D

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