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MySQL Support for Python that's not under GPL-Like Licenses

Answer 1

+3 A:

I believe MySQLdb is dual-licensed under GPL or the Python license. The Python license lets you distribute binaries without source. The README in source distribution says:

License
-------
GPL or the original license based on Python 1.5.2's license.

RichieHindle 2009-05-12 15:27:19

I'm familiar with this line, but what does itmean? When it comes to legals, I always assume the worst, and for me that means that I read this line as "GPL"...

Roee Adler 2009-05-12 15:29:25

As far as I'm aware, it means you get to chose which license to distribute the code under - but I'm not a lawyer. Your best bet would be to email the copyright holder and ask.

RichieHindle 2009-05-12 15:32:15

I asked the copyright holder @farcepest regarding this question: "the answers given there are correct"

Rick Copeland 2009-05-12 19:27:29

OK, cool! .

RichieHindle 2009-05-12 19:55:58

Answer 2

+4 A:

You seem to misunderstand GPL. (Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer)

You can charge money for your application, even if it is licensed under GPL. GPL allows you to sell your code.
You don't have to distribute anything, even if your code is licensed under GPL.
You can't reliably distribute python code without distributing the source anyway.
Mysqldb is dual licensed. You may choose between python's license or GPL license.

EDIT: To clarify point 2, since some people got confused: You don't have to distribute anything, but if you do distribute something, you have to distribute the source code of it.

nosklo 2009-05-12 15:30:00

Okay, got it, thanks

Roee Adler 2009-05-12 15:32:01

@nosklo: Point 2: He's talking about code that "may be viable for distribution as a desktop application". If he distributes GPL code in binary form, he must also make the source code available to whoever has the binary.

RichieHindle 2009-05-12 15:36:58

...and that means source code for the entire binary. If the binary is a mixture of GPL code and his own code, he must make his own source code available. This is why the GPL gets called "viral". (If MySQLdb is indeed dual licensed then this is moot, but I think your answer is misleading.)

RichieHindle 2009-05-12 15:39:37

@RichieHindle: You can't distribute binary python code in a reliable way. You must to distribute the source code for it to work anyway, regardless of the license used.

nosklo 2009-05-12 15:47:17

@nosklo: That's a whole different argument. What I'm saying is that Point 2 in your list, "You don't have to distribute anything, even if your code is licensed under GPL" is wrong.

RichieHindle 2009-05-12 15:56:43

@RichieHindle: well, it is not wrong. Nobody forces you to distribute anything. If you want, you can keep the whole code for you. However **If** you decide to distribute, then you must follow the license rights/restrictions on distribution (obviously). What I mean is that you're not forced to distribute your code just because it is licensed on GPL, that is completely optional.

nosklo 2009-05-12 16:17:20

@nosklo: Rax explicitly talks about "distribution as a desktop application" in his question. If he is going to distribute his application, then the GPL *does* force him to distribute his source code. Please re-read your answer in the context of Rax's question - I believe it's misleading at best.

RichieHindle 2009-05-12 17:15:47

Please clarify the answer, it is indeed a bit misleading (even though the intended meaning is correct).

nikow 2009-05-12 20:19:52

@niko, RichieHidle: I added a note to the answer, thanks for your comments.

nosklo 2009-05-14 17:23:02

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MySQL Support for Python that's not under GPL-Like Licenses

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