On Aug 31, 2007, at 11:43 AM, ttw+drupal@cobbled.net wrote:
i think the original author is confused about the exact status of GPL, especially, in relation to something like hooks where, it would appear to me, there is no issue. essentially, i see no reason you could not interface an application using hooks and keep that application propiertory.
If I'm the original author being referred to, it's important to remember that I'm summarizing the position articulated to me by the FSF after three days of communication, including detailed descriptions of how Drupal's hook system operates and how dynamic script languages like PHP handle bridging projects. Please read earlier messages. The FSF's position is that, if two projects are calling each others' functions or sharing in-memory data structures and so on (even if they do it via an intermediary plugin), they are operating as a single unit. There is a LOT of technical wrangling in the details of that, but it comes back to the rule of thumb: *** If you can, at any point, call debug_backtrace() and see BOTH drupal functions AND functions from a non-GPL-compatible piece of software, the terms of the GPL are being violated. *** I say this not because I am a torch-waving opponent of proprietary software, nor because I am a critic of the GPL. I just think that there is a great deal of confusion in the OSS CMS community, and I hope to help achieve some clarity. If you have an issue, or a point you feel needs to be clarified, ** DO WHAT I DID. CONTACT THE FREE SOFTWARE FOUNDATION. ** They're great folks to talk to, and even if you don't like the results of your questions, they're very patient and willing to help work through the thorny technical details. --Jeff