Subj : Re: AVL C library unencumbered by the GPL?
To   : comp.programming
From : Peter Nilsson
Date : Wed Sep 21 2005 05:23 pm

jfathman@aol.com wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I need straight C (not C++) AVL source for an embedded product.  I
> like the looks of GNU libavl, but I am concerned about the impact of
> the GPL on my otherwise closed source.
>
> If I use GNU libavl in my product and do not open my other source,
> am I in violation of the GPL?

Only if you are modifying the GNU libavl source.

"These requirements apply to the modified work as a whole.  If
identifiable sections of that work are not derived from the Program,
and can be reasonably considered independent and separate works in
themselves, then this License, and its terms, do not apply to those
sections when you distribute them as separate works.  But when you
distribute the same sections as part of a whole which is a work based
on the Program, the distribution of the whole must be on the terms of
this License, whose permissions for other licensees extend to the
entire whole, and thus to each and every part regardless of who wrote
it.

"Thus, it is not the intent of this section to claim rights or contest
your rights to work written entirely by you; rather, the intent is to
exercise the right to control the distribution of derivative or
collective works based on the Program."

The "Program" in this case being GNU libavl.

-- 
Peter

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