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

[Cog Rusty]

On 9/6/07, Vivek Puri <crystalcube at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> --- Cog Rusty <cog.rusty at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > You cant be more wrong ;) take a look at
> > > http://drupal.org/project/smfforum , this is in
> > > violation of GPL as per this latest discussion.
> > And
> > > its hosted on drupal. The module make direct calls
> > do
> > > SMF API ( a non-GPL compliant ) product.
> >
> > At last! Now we are talking. Wouldn't someone have
> > to challenge the
> > conformance or the module with a particular  article
> > of its attached
> > license to claim such a thing?
> >
> > As a side-issue, there is also the question of
> > "legitimate interest"
> > of the one who does challenge it. Doesn't the
> > requirement of
> > legitimate interest exist in most countries? (IANAL
> > either).
>
> Its not so much as question of challenging it. The
> fact is that module clearly is in violation of GPL and
> still hosted on Drupal. So question is whats Drupal's
> policy ? Still continue to say that d.o. is fully
> compliant or  d.o. doesn't care ?

Isn't that begging the question? How is it in violation of GPL if it
is not show to violate some term(s) of its attached license text? By
popular vote? By an interpretation which was written and posted after
the event?

I said "now we are talking" believing that this was a chance to see
how those interpretations can be applied in practice, but not by using
more sweeping statements.


> If we go by your logic then everyone will just use GPL
> software and release their own modules as proprietary
> license under the concept of "legitimate interest".
> After all everyone has "legitimate interest" to not
> release their own contributions as GPL ;)

By "legitimate interest" I was referring to something different: Under
law usually, when you see a thief robbing someone, you can report it
to the police but you can't sue the robber. Only the victim can (or
the authorities if it is a penal offence and not just a civil one).You
don't need legitimate interest to do something. You need it to
challenge something.

Also notice that to make a point you (we) always automatically refer
to a case of stealing GPL'ed code and using it in proprietary
software, and assume it self-evident that this is the case under
discussion.