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Re: Using non-GPL libraries in a GPL program


From: Alexander Terekhov
Subject: Re: Using non-GPL libraries in a GPL program
Date: Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:40:35 +0200

"Alfred M. Szmidt" wrote:
> 
>    Supposing your are right, and GPL can't include PD works: What free
>    software programs in use today are GPL and include public domain
>    works?

It's really close to impossible to write a computer program that
wouldn't include material unprotectable under copyright (public domain)
and hence not licensable under copyright "as a whole".

See

http://digital-law-online.info/lpdi1.0/treatise24.html

"- The element’s expression was dictated by reasons of efficiency, such
as when it is the best way of performing a particular function.

- The element’s expression was dictated by external factors, such as
using an existing file format or interoperating with another program.

- The element’s expression is a conventional way of writing something in
the particular programming language or machine running the program.

- The element, at the particular level of abstraction, is an
unprotectable process and not protectable expression.

- The element is taken from the public domain or is an unprotectable
fact.

Any protection for elements dictated by efficiency or external factors
or processes must come from patents or trade secrets, if at all, and not
from copyright."

> 
> More fun yet, what _non-free_ software program in use today can
> include public domain works?

In contrast to Stallmanist software, "_non-free_" software doesn't
pretend to *copyright* (copyright license) included public domain
material, moron. Any *copyright* license in "_non-free_" software (if
any... typically "_non-free_" software don't convey any *copyright*
license at all) covers only copyrighted material and not "work as a
whole".

regards,
alexander.

--
http://gng.z505.com/index.htm
(GNG is a derecursive recursive derecursion which pwns GNU since it can
be infinitely looped as GNGNGNGNG...NGNGNG... and can be said backwards
too, whereas GNU cannot.)


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