[computer-go] Collaboration project. Once again

[Jeff Nowakowski]

On Sat, 2006-08-05 at 16:31 -0600, Markus Enzenberger wrote:
> It is of course not a derivative work.
> 
> The engine as well as the controller can be used in a lot of different 
> contexts. GTP is an open standard with a trivial interface, usable over 
> network or local connections. A lot of different engine implementations and 
> different-purpose controllers exist, no linking is required. So this is 
> analogous to writing a HTTP or SMTP server or client.

This is the commonly held belief, that if you don't link and communicate
via a standard interface (like exec or a network protocol), that the GPL
never applies to your work as a whole.  Could you read the license and
show me where it says that?  Why is linking so special anyways?  It's a
standard interface like anything else.

Just because software can be broken into pluggable components doesn't
mean that you aren't creating a "greater work" when you piece those
components together and distribute them as a whole.

Below I've quoted part of the GPL that supports my statements.  I think
the whole thing is mirky, and I agree with Mark, I would not distribute
my non-GPL program with any GPL software.  In fact, I'm using GoGui now
to bootstrap my own development, but I plan to ditch it if I ever
distribute anything.  Because of this, I have no desire to contribute to
it's development.

If your intention is to let people use it as a component, then why not
just make it LGPL?  This avoids all these issues and encourages people
to contribute.

-Jeff

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