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From:	"Alexei A. Frounze" <alexfru AT chat DOT ru>
Newsgroups:	comp.os.msdos.djgpp
Subject:	GPL & DJGPP
Date:	Thu, 10 Feb 2005 23:32:32 +0300
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To:	djgpp AT delorie DOT com
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I  have a question regarding the legal issues...

The DJGPP FAQ 2.30 says:

--------8<--------
19.1 Legal (un)restrictions on DJGPP applications
=================================================

_*Q*: Can you explain in plain English the legal restrictions of
distributing
programs compiled with DJGPP?_


_*Q*: Can I write commercial programs with DJGPP?_


*A*: In most cases, you don't have to worry about any legal restrictions
when
you compile your programs with DJGPP.  You only need to include information
on how to get DJGPP, and a few other bits of information, as explained
below,
in the documentation of your software(1).

Using the GNU C/C++ compiler doesn't make your programs subject to _any_
restrictions.  The C library which comes with DJGPP is _free_ (unless you
change the library sources, see below), which means you are free to use the
stock `libc.a' in any way you like (but please try to comply with basic
rules
of courtesy, in "Legal restrictions of DJGPP utilities and libraries".)
...
So, if you write C programs and link them with the stock version of the
DJGPP
library, you only need to tell your recipients how to get the latest
versions
of DJGPP, and have absolutely nothing else to worry about.
...
--------8<--------

And the GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 2 says so:

--------8<--------
  2. You may modify your copy or copies of the Program or any portion
of it, thus forming a work based on the Program, and copy and
distribute such modifications or work under the terms of Section 1
above, provided that you also meet all of these conditions:
...
    b) You must cause any work that you distribute or publish, that in
    whole or in part contains or is derived from the Program or any
    part thereof, to be licensed as a whole at no charge to all third
    parties under the terms of this License.

--------8<--------

Isn't here a contradiction? I'm asking because if the standard C library
being used in DJGPP is GPL, then any application linked with it must be GPL
as well. Then what kind of commerciality are we talking about in the FAQ? I
don't get it. Can you explain it in yet more plain English? :)

Thanks,
Alex

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