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

[Darren Oh]

In that case, Drupal modules that do not include third-party code are  
legal, since they merely allow Drupal to be combined with "separate  
and independent" programs. No work derived from the third-party code  
is being distributed. I know it's repetitive, but this discussion has  
been answering the wrong question.

On Sep 10, 2007, at 5:40 PM, Thomas Barregren wrote:

> The CiviCRM's FAQ about AGPL loudly and clearly states:
>
>    You cannot combine code licensed under both licenses [AGPL and GPL]
>    into a single program and then redistribute that combination  
> because
>    the AGPL and the current version of the GPL are incompatible.
>
> Thus, you cannot distribute CiviCRM as *part of* a software  
> licensed under GPL. However, you can distribute CiviCRM as "a  
> separate and independent program from the GPL-licensed software".
>
> It is important to make a distinction between "derived work" and  
> "combined work".
>
> Derivative works are subject to the GPL’s reciprocity provision  
> (a.k.a. copyleft) while combined works are not. The matter is  
> thoroughly discussed in Lawrence Rosen's book "Open Source  
> Licensing: Software Freedom and Intellectual Property Law"  
> available online from
>
>    http://www.rosenlaw.com/oslbook.htm.
>
> Rosen says in the book that he belief that GPL "will ultimately be  
> read by the courts to mean that derivative works are subject to the  
> GPL’s reciprocity provision, but collective works are not."
>
> Best regards,
> Thomas