Re: [tlug] Proprietary code linked with GPL code

[Shakthi Kannan <shakthimaan@example.com>]

Hi Jim and others,

Just my thoughts,

--- Jim <jep200404@example.com> wrote:
> So it is the customer that (perhaps unknowingly)
> does the linking 
> when they use the device, and the customer would not
> be allowed 
> to ship the linked stuff (which disappears each time
> the thing 
> is turned off)? 

Loadable modules exist on system RAM
(SDRAM/SRAM/DPRAM) which disappear on power off. 

> When the customer turns off the
> device (and the 
> linked stuff goes poof), then the customer no longer
> possesses 
> linked stuff in the device and can then distribute
> the device? 

The modules are persistent on embedded flash memories,
usually, in a filesystem. So, the modules are still
present on the device, just not in use.

> So a customer could not distribute a running device
> that has 
> linked proprietary and GPL code? 

Code linked with GPL should be released under GPL?

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

--
Shakthi Kannan, MS
Software Engineer, Specsoft (Hexaware Technologies)
[E]: shakthimaan@example.com           [M]: (91) 98407-87007
[W]: http://www.shakthimaan.com      [L]: Chennai, India

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