GCC/GCJ, SWT, and license lock-in

[Andrew Haley]

Steve Perkins wrote:
>    I have a question about using GCC/GCJ to compile a Java application
> which uses the SWT framework for its GUI, and whether this locks you in
> or out of any licensing options.  I apologize in advance if this
> question is somewhat off-topic... I searched "gnu.org" for a mailing
> list specifically directed toward licensing discussion and came up empty.
> 
>    The SWT is covered by the Eclipse Public License (EPL), which does
> not bind you to use the EPL for programs which merely link to SWT
> without modifying it (Question #27 at
> http://www.eclipse.org/legal/eplfaq.php#DERIV).
>    However, the FSF considers the EPL to be incompatible with the GPL. 
> I'm not sure what impact (if any) this would have on my desire to write
> a GPL'ed application from scratch, which links to SWT for its GUI.

You couldn't do that.  However, libgcj carries with it an exception that
allows you to link non-GPL code.  Look at the licence for more details.

Andrew.