Licensquestions on GNU Software.

[Erik Corry]

On Tue, Jun 24, 2003 at 02:31:53PM +0200, Johansson Mikael (mj) wrote:
> Hello.
> 
> Question 1.
> If I install a GCC-crosscompilator in a Cygwin-environment
> to compilate and link a proprietary software will this
> compilated software change from proprietary to
> "free software".
> I am using free tools under GPL to compilate and link
> a proprietary software.

Using gcc doesn't in itself force your software to be under
GPL.

But the libraries that you link your software with (or
gcc links your software with) might force your software
to be under some specific license conditions.

One example of such a library is the Cygwin library,
see http://sources.redhat.com/cygwin/faq/faq_1.html#SEC4
but if you are cross-compiling then you probably don't
link that library into your application.

All gcc programs (almost) link with libgcc, but that in
itself won't force your software to change license, since
the libgcc license (you can find it in the gcc source code
if you download it) explicitly says so.
 
> Question 2.
> How do I apply licenses for unique installations of Cygwin
> and GCC crosscompilator. Do I just print a copy of GPL or 
> do I have to sign them and identify the installation?

You need to read the gcc license, the GPL.

http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html

If the unique installation is within your organisation then
that is not distribution, and you don't need to do anything
special.

Otherwise, the easiest way to comply with the GPL is section
3a, just distribute the source (in a tar file or similar)
together with the installation.

I am not a lawyer and I might be wrong about some or all of this.  

See also the GPL FAQ http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html

-- 
Erik Corry erik@arbat.com