Licenses

[Pirata Nervo]

(08-06-2012 03:39 PM)ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:  

(08-06-2012 12:44 PM)Sama34 Wrote:  What about using GPL/LGPL in non open source scripts? AFAIU GPL can't, but what about including LGPL? Is it possible?

Yes, the whole point of LGPL is to include a provision to allow inclusion into non-free packages.
Note that you can ONLY do this if the LGPL component is unmodified.  If it has been modified and you distribute it, you must supply all rights granted by the LGPL license to users.

Example:
MyBB under LGPL
- I can add functionality to MyBB and not release it under a GPL compatible license (eg sell product under closed license) - as long as I have not modified MyBB itself

If MyBB is under GPL, I would need to release my modifications under GPL compatible license.

(08-06-2012 12:44 PM)Sama34 Wrote:  I had read some comments about whether MyBB premium plugins can really exist (probably from when MyBB was GPL and not LGPL), I will assume than, since premium plugins are included by the MyBB script, there is nothing wrong with them?

Plugins and MyBB aren't the same package, so GPL doesn't magically infest itself into a completely separate package.  Just because a plugin is meant to be used with MyBB doesn't mean it's affiliated with it.  It's possible, for example, to have a plugin which works with multiple forum systems under different licensing schemes.
If I were to distribute MyBB along with plugins with incompatible licenses, for example, then you would have an issue.

I think that's arguable. If you don't consider plugins "dynamically linked" to the main software, then yes the simple fact that it's not distributed along with the main software is enough for the GPL not to affect plugins. However, if you consider them "dynamically linked" to the main software then the plugins must be distributed under GPL (if MyBB was still GPLv3 of course). Now, if you ask me who determines what's "dynamically linked" and what's not...I guess I haven't found any certain answers on the internet, especially official answers from courts/lawyers/FSF.