[Axiom-legal] GPL vs. modified BSD

[Ralf Hemmecke]

Compatible just means what is written here:

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#WhatIsCompatible

What does it mean to say that two licenses are "compatible"?
------------------------------------------------------------
    In order to combine two programs (or substantial parts of them) 
into a larger work, you need to have permission to use both programs in 
this way. If the two programs' licenses permit this, they are 
compatible. If there is no way to satisfy both licenses at once, they 
are incompatible.

    For some licenses, the way in which the combination is made may 
affect whether they are compatible--for instance, they may allow linking 
two modules together, but not allow merging their code into one module.



So this says something about whether the code can be combined.

As you can see, there is another paragraph right after it.


What does it mean to say a license is "compatible with the GPL".
----------------------------------------------------------------
    It means that the other license and the GNU GPL are compatible; you 
can combine code released under the other license with code released 
under the GNU GPL in one larger program.

    The GPL permits such a combination provided it is released under 
the GNU GPL. The other license is compatible with the GPL if it permits 
this too.



As I read the last paragraph, it is exactly as Gernot wanted to say. The 
resulting program must be released under GPL. I cannot read that the GPL 
allows to distribute the combined work under modified BSD.

Just curious: What _exactly_ would forbid to distribute Axiom under GPL?

Ralf


On 11/20/2006 11:42 AM, root wrote:
> Gernot, Andrey,
>
> Please see http://www.fsf.org/licensing/licenses/index_html
>
> Note that Axiom is licensed under the Modified BSD and is
> considered as a GPL compatible license by the Free Software Foundation.
> In addition, I have had direct contact with Richard Stallman stating
> that the licenses are compatible.
>
> Please post any followup license-related discussion ONLY on the
> axiom-legal mailing list. That list was established to remove any
> discussion of licensing from the axiom-developer mailing list.
>
> Tim