Re: [gtk-list] Re: Gtk & Qt

[Christof Petig <christof petig wtal de>]

Andreas Kostyrka wrote:

> On Fri, 10 Jul 1998, Joel Becker wrote:
> >       There are more details, I am sure, but for the home user, using
> > only open-source software, the license usage of Qt and GTK+ are
> > effectively identical.  I am using free software, writing free software,
> > and charging noone.  Therefore I can use both legally.
> Yes and no. You cannot take somebody else GPL app and port it Qt.
> Basically speaking, backporting from Gnome to KDE would be illegal.
> (The other way is also not too wise: It's just takes one core KDE
>  developer who is bought, and changes his mind about the interpretation
>  of the GPL license, and the whole of KDE looses it's license.)
>
> Andreas

Dear Andreas,

Could you please tell me (no need to forward it to the list?) where you made
up this opinion. Are there any documents about this topic (especially about
the bought KDE developer)?
I reread the GPL and know that GPL and Qt is problematic (system library or
not). Which is the part that might be reinterpreted. If this happened fast the
discussion about KDE vs. Gnome would immediately stop >:-)  (devilish grin).

Am I right to assume that the GPL forbids you to _require_ non-GPL non system
parts but does not forbid you to support them?

As a programmer which publishes GPLed software I'm particularly interested in
this topic.

Christof