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Re: Add GPL compatibility check for plugins
"Frank Ch. Eigler" <fche@redhat.com> writes:
> On Thu, Jun 18, 2009 at 07:44:08PM -0700, Ian Lance Taylor wrote:
>
>> [...] The FSF release of gcc won't run a non-GPL plugin, but of
>> course nothing stops you from modifying the gcc sources. In other
>> words, right #0 is not violated, since nothing stops you from doing
>> whatever you want. [...]
>
> And this is an uncontroversial interpretation, if for example applied
> to other GNU programs? Wacky stuff like changing bash to prohibit
> loading non-GPL shell scripts? "but you can patch it..."??
I think that case is different in relevant ways. We already require
that if you distribute a gcc plugin you must distribute it under a
GPL-compatible license. This patch adds no extra requirement to a
plugin which is distributed. It amounts to an affirmation on the part
of the plugin author that they understand the licensing requirements.
For a plugin which is not distributed, this patch is a useless
irritation.
> Well, if it's OK with y'all, fine with me too. But it seems weird.
It's not really OK with me. I think it's stupid, pointless, and
counter-productive. But I also don't think it's worth going to the
barricades for.
Ian