Re: PHP License Questions

> IANAL, but the simple answer you'll get is that if you want to include > uncompatibly licensed code with your GPL software, simply write an > exception to the GPL and include it with your code. A template (and > explanation) is provided by the nice FSF people [1]. Well, I'm not really concerned about *including* the libs in the package. I'm more concerned about *using*. I could care less if users have to pear install Calendar first; I just want to be able to use the libraries. So I guess my question is more like: Can I use these libraries (not necessarily distribute them with my package)? Would I still need to make an exception in the license? > > Not to start a licensing flame war, but the reason why Apache and PHP > are distributed with Linux falls outside the realm of the GPL because > the programs aren't statically linked. > > Aaron > > [1] > http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#GPLIncompatibleLibs > > Andrew Lindeman wrote: > > >Hi all! > > > >Many PEAR libraries are licensed under the PHP license. I'm using a few > >of these (right now, DB and Calendar) in a project that will eventually > >be released under the GPL. A member of the GNU Savannah development > >team (i.e. a reputable source) recently mentioned that the GPL was > >incompatible with the PHP license (verified by > > >>http://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html#GPLIncompatibleLicenses > >) > >and that using code under the PHP license in a GPL'ed piece of software > >could not mesh. > > > >This is one of his quotes as to the conflict (referring to the PHP > >license): > >"ah, I would guess the advertising clause, that and how it's not > >definitive enough with your rights." > > > >I know that the PHP license is basically a BSD license with a few > >clauses about the 'PHP' name, so this confuses me. > > > >I'm also extremely confused because I *know* many GPL'ed pieces of > >software use PEAR libraries under the PHP license. Is this just a > >matter of no enforcement or is he mistaken? If he's mistaken, can > >someone elaborate so I can refute his argument? > > > >I don't mean any offense to the developer I refer to or anyone else; I'm > >just concerned about what this means to my project. > > > >Thanks much all > >--Andrew Lindeman > > > > > >