[development] Modules that integrate non-GPL PHP apps violate the GPL.

[Larry Garfield]

On Tuesday 04 September 2007, David Strauss wrote:

> I would love to have someone clear up any errors in my interpretation.
> While I love the FSF, they have a vested interest in presenting the GPL
> as viral as possible. So, I don't consider their FAQ to be a reliable,
> unbiased source.

I think we're at the point where we all need to wait while someone finds a 
real lawyer to ask, since we're just going around in circles and even 
admitting it. :-)

So, what pertinent questions should be asked of an actual lawyer, not employed 
by FSF, by whoever it is that is doing so (Drupal Association, a consulting 
firm, whoever)?  I would start with:

Scenario: There exists non-GPL system.  A Drupal module is written that allows 
Drupal to access that system via its APIs within a PHP process.  That module 
is committed to Drupal CVS, and therefore distributed under the GPL.  Legal 
or illegal?

Scenario: There exists non-GPL system.  A Drupal module is written that allows 
Drupal to access that system via some external API (XML-RPC, SOAP, REST, 
HTTP, or some other non-shared-memory-space system).  That module is 
committed to Drupal CVS, and therefore distributed under the GPL.  Legal or 
illegal?

Scenario: There exists a non-GPL system.  A Drupal module is written that 
allows Drupal to access that system via either of the methods listed above 
(in-process or out-of-process).  That module is provided by its author to a 
client/customer for use with their non-GPL system, without going through 
Drupal CVS.  Under what licenses (GPL, non-GPL, or ownership transfer with 
reverse license) could that module be legally provided to said client?  

(Scenario 3 is actually a couple of scenarios rolled into one, but it's easier 
than restating every possible combination.)

We're not lawyers.  Let's find one so we can put this issue to rest and get 
back to writing GPLed code in the first place. :-)

-- 
Larry Garfield			AIM: LOLG42
larry at garfieldtech.com		ICQ: 6817012

"If nature has made any one thing less susceptible than all others of 
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