I want Minix's size but Linux's functionality....

Posted Jul 30, 2009 5:36 UTC (Thu) by grahammm (guest, #773)
In reply to: I want Minix's size but Linux's functionality.... by coriordan
Parent article: A new GCC runtime library license snag?

Make the licence for the gcc runtime library very simple. "This (binary) library may be distributed with any binary compiled by the gcc compiler of which it is a part". That is, if a program is compiled with gcc, irrespective of its licence, and it makes calls to the runtime library then the binary gcc runtime library may be distributed with the binary of the program.

I want Minix's size but Linux's functionality....

Posted Aug 1, 2009 0:05 UTC (Sat) by coriordan (guest, #7544) [Link]

That wouldn't work, if I've understood what you mean.

The combination of binary runtime library plus binary git (or any gplv2 application) can be distributed. And the recipient reads the licence of git and sees that she's entitled to a copy of the complete corresponding source code under the terms of the GPLv2... but she can't have the source code to the runtime library (which is part of git after compilation) under GPLv2 because the runtime library's licence is GPLv3, not GPLv2.

It's an interesting path alright, and I'm thinking about other types of clauses that could go into the runtime library exception along the same lines....