Re: GPL question

[David Kastrup]

n.torrey.pines@gmail.com writes:

> On Oct 19, 9:47 am, "Alfred M. Szmidt" <a...@gnu.org> wrote:
>
>> The binary is also combined into one big blob when run,
>
> But not even by me. The user chooses to combine it. I don't. For all
> I care, the user may choose to combine it with some other library,
> which he may even write himself, with a compatible interface.

If there is a library with compatible interface, you might be right.
If there isn't, and if the only reasonable way in which the user can
sensibly make any use of your code is to link with a particular
library, the the user is acting as your agent when assembling the
product, and you can't excuse yourself from responsibility.

In a similar vein, you can't evade weapon laws by removing an
essential, but standard part from guns and include instructions
"please don't insert an M5x18mm screw into that and that place, or you
might be liable of having assembled a fully functioning weapon".

Or "don't fill in one pound of powdered sugar here and stir, or this
will be an illegal exploding device".

-- 
David Kastrup, Kriemhildstr. 15, 44793 Bochum