[Bf-committers] GPL: how to link with non-gpl plugins

[Joe Eagar]

Ton Roosendaal wrote:
> -------------
> Q: If a program released under the GPL uses a library that is LGPL, and  
> this library can dlopen plug-ins at runtime, what are the requirements  
> for the license of the plug-in ?
>
> A: You may not distribute the plug-in with the GPL application.  
> Distributing the plug-in alone, with the knowledge that it will be used  
> primarily by GPL software is a bit of an edge case. We will not advise  
> you that it would be safe to do so, but we also will not advise you  
> that it would be absolutely forbidden.
> -------------
> (http://gstreamer.freedesktop.org/data/doc/gstreamer/head/faq/html/ 
> chapter-legal.html)
>
> Conclusion, the restriction is mostly on the distribution side. It  
> could mean we can ask a company that makes a closed renderer for  
> example;
>   
I've heard you can add exceptions to your GPL license for plugins.  I'm 
not sure if it'd still be "gpl-compatible" but it should. . .

Joe

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