Re: Fwd: [gnu.org #184127] libgcj and GNU Classpath licencing
On Fri, 21 May 2004 17:39:27 +0000, Thorsten Glaser wrote
> Hello people,
>
> I don't know what I should even reply to this message.
>
> I just want to know if I can compile a "hello world" java
> programm from a textbook with GCC 3.x and gcj/libgcj/classpath
> without the hello world programme becoming GNU GPL'd.
>
> The reason I asked was that I heard of some FSF person I don't
> remember that "using a library is free by the GPL exception
> clause, but inheriting a class isn't mere usage of the
> library", in my opinion they are trying to GPL _all_ java programmes
> (since they are classes).
> That's their politics, right - but...
>
> If it will come this way, I am thinking of not supporting all the
> Java stuff in GCC 3.x - I'd like to have it working, but...
>
> Anyone to come up with a good answer?
He made the assumption based on your message that you were trying to
write proprietary software even though you only questioned if the gpl
would be required on the class extension. The simple fact is that both
the old and new style BSD licenses, as well as the MIT style license,
are classified by the GNU folks as Free Software.
Since the same dilemma you present could arise if you wished your
program to be LGPL'd, BSD licensed, MIT licensed, or Public Domain (all
of which are classified as Free Software) I think the ideal response is
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