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[OT} How to un-GPL parts of a GPL'd module.

Steve Holden sholden at holdenweb.com
Tue Oct 8 09:03:44 EDT 2002 
"Anton Vredegoor" <anton at vredegoor.doge.nl> wrote in message
news:anujeq$qdk$1 at news.hccnet.nl...
> Hello All,
>
> how can I use a class or a function from a GLP'd module (cut-and-paste
> style) in a module with BSD or public domain style release?
>
You can't, without explicit permission from the copyleft holder. that's the
whole point of copyleft.

> I guess I could e-mail the author for permission but if I would have
> to wait for them to answer, it would slow my coding process down to a
> snail's pace, and there's always the possibility of the author being
> unwilling.
>
Indeed. Perhaps you should consider releasing your own code under the GPL
rather than some other license. That way there's no problem incorporating
GPL'd code.

> So that's not an option for me. I would rather rethink the problem and
> start writing a new script.
>
> But here's where the problem begins. Having seen the algorithm it's
> almost impossible for me to forget it and write code as if I had never
> seen it. On the other hand, is it enough to just cut and paste, change
> maybe a few variable names, credit the author for the original concept
> in the sourcode, send some email to inform the author and go on with
> life?
>
Definitely not, if you take licensing seriously.

> I know a lot of people rely on writing sourcecode for a living but I
> have been unemployed as a programmer for so long know that the concept
> of owning sourcecode or getting payed for producing it is completely
> alien to me. I think I'll be writing free sourcecode till I die just
> hoping some pieces of my code will survive into eternity. If someone
> has a problem with that, hire me.
>
Sort of like "send money or I'll shoot the dog"? Not a very promising
aproach to potential employers. I would encourage you to contact the
original author and see if you can't get permission to include the code
under license terms acceptable to you. Otherwise you'll need a clean room
implementation (which, if the algorithm is obvious, might be similar to the
GPL'd code, but should be your own work rather than someone else's).

regards
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Steve Holden                                  http://www.holdenweb.com/
Python Web Programming                 http://pydish.holdenweb.com/pwp/
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