Re: Dutch Tax software violates the LGPL (Glib/GTK+)

[Brian Cameron <Brian Cameron Sun COM>]

Stefan:

> For several years the Dutch tax office (Belastingdienst) is using their
> own closed source software in combination with several LGPL/BSD like
> components compiled into a static binary. To 'comply' with the BSD-style
> licenses and the advertisement they include the name and partial license
> in their in program help system, likewise for the LGPL license.

You do not provide many specific details about how the Dutch tax office
application makes use of LGPL/BSD licensed code.  You mention below that
it uses Glib and GTK+.  Is this a complete list of LGPL/BSD licensed
code used by the program?

Note that the LGPL license is designed such that modules like Glib
and GTK+ can be used by non-free applications.  So, it is acceptable
to use them in non-free programs.  Many third-parties (such as Adobe
Reader, RealPlayer, etc.) provide non-free programs which link against
libraries like Glib and GTK+, and there are no licensing issues with
doing so.

However, if they make changes to the actual LGPL code (such as changes
to Glib or GTK+), then they must make those changes available to the
public.  Though below you seem to say that they do not change these
libraries, so I am guessing this is not an issue.

However, without more detail about the specifics of the situation you
are talking about, it is hard to provide any more concrete answer.

> It is asked for several years to open up the software, which is totally
> ignored. Even public information act questions are moved aside.
>
> I would like to know if:
>
> 1) it is acceptable if a software as widely used as tax software can use
> statically Glib/GTK+ libraries for 'compatibility' issues. It is
> mentioned that the library is not 'changed'.

Yes, this sounds acceptable.

> 2) this issue is been brought up before by the Dutch tax office and if
> they acquired a special license exception.

I would not think that any special license exception would be required.

> If the above is found not acceptable I wonder if anyone with a
> substantial copyright claim could help me formulated a compliance
> request. To be send to 'De Belastingdienst' and with a CC to the Dutch
> Open Source office, part of another ministry.

Although I do not think there is a problem here, it might also be
worthwhile to check with the Free Software Foundation.  They have
a dedicated legal staff for looking into these sorts of issues, and
could likely provide a more official legal response.

Brian