Re: [sigc] Linking dynamically with SigC++ (now rather: License)

[Ulrich Eckhardt <eckhardt satorlaser com>]

On Friday 07 July 2006 12:39, Magnus Lindberg wrote:
> Hi,
>
> > -----Ursprungligt meddelande-----
> > Från: Ulrich Eckhardt [mailto:eckhardt satorlaser com]
> > Skickat: 07 July 2006 09:27
> > Till: libsigc-list gnome org
> > Kopia: Magnus Lindberg
> > Ämne: Re: [sigc] Linking dynamically with SigC++ (now rather: License)
> >
> > On Thursday 06 July 2006 18:20, Aristid Breitkreuz wrote:
> > > If I understand it correctly, the exception must be bullet-proof (of
> > > course ;-) ) and in difference to the LGPL allow the following
> > > use-cases:
> > >      1. Using all the template stuff (generally code in
> > >         headers with more than 10 lines per functional
> > >         unit) in libsigc++ from application / library code.
> >
> > Right. This permission was already given but is not
> > explicitly stated in the distributed license.
>
> If I understand this correctly, commercial use of Libsigc++ is

Danger: The GPL and LGPL both permit any commercial use! The question is 
rather how open the source is that you distribute.

> allowed if one links dynamically, 

Yes, if you link dynamically you fulfil one requirement of the LGPL for use 
with closed source software. The idea is that the user is able to change the 
LGPLed parts of the final program, so either dynamik linking or distribution 
of objectfiles.

> regardless of how many SigC functions are inlined when the executable 
> itself is compiled, and how many lines they are. 

The LGPL says something with regard to inline functions (you quoted the 
relevant paragraph) and for libsigC++ the explicit exception is made that 
this limit does not apply.

> And, one does not need to provide object files for the executable nor 
> source code.

Yes. Well, you need to provide sources for libsigC++ (at least on demand), but 
I assume you are only concerned with your own code.

> Is this permission to use inline functions of more than 10
> lines (arbitrary length?) stated explicitly somewhere?

It is stated in e.g. quoted mailinglist message but has never been formally 
added as exception to the distributed license.

> The only piece of text I've found that relates to
> headers is the excerpt below, but many inline functions
> are > 10 lines (well I guess you already knew that...).
>
> "If such an object file uses only
> numerical parameters, data structure layouts and accessors,
> and small macros and small inline functions (ten lines or
> less in length), then the use of the object file is
> unrestricted, regardless of whether it is legally a
> derivative work."

Exactly this doesn't apply.

Uli

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