On 2013-10-23, Przemek Klosowski <przemek.klosowski at nist.gov> wrote:
> On 10/22/2013 04:16 PM, Martin Kraska wrote:
>
> we are on the way to implement a Maxima plugin for the Mathcad-like free,
> but closed source math program SMath Studio.
>
> Since Maxima is licensed under GPLv2, wouldn't that create a bundling
> that triggers GPL restrictions on derived products? Historically, FSF
> and other GPL copyright owners frowned on combining their products with
> non-Free software.
I dunno. From what I can tell, SMath talks to Maxima through a pipe or
some other interprocess communication. This seems to be generally
considered separate enough to avoid making the SMath + Maxima combo a
derived work of Maxima (necessary to trigger GPL restrictions based on
copyright). Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice.
Bear in mind that FSF has their own agenda to push, which usually
involves a very expansive view of what is a derived work, and further
that FSF isn't involved in Maxima in any way. FSF has published their
own opinions about what the GPL means but those don't count for much --
FSF has no authority to dictate interpretation of GPL; only copyright
courts opinions matter.
While we're on the topic, I think the near-complete mystery of what the
GPL actually means is a serious deficiency. [1] [2]
FWIW & all the best.
Robert Dodier
[1] http://lukeplant.me.uk/blog/posts/python-and-copyright/
[2] http://jacobian.org/writing/gpl-questions/