Wireshark · Wireshark-dev: Re: [Wireshark-dev] GPL license question

[Martin Warnes <martin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Unfortunately this appears to be the case, which is possibly a shame as 
we have a bunch of plug-in dissectors we would willingly release for 
free download, but it would be a cold day in hell before our lawyers 
agreed to release the source code, even though I doubt there's anything 
of proprietry value in there.

-- Martin

Jaap Keuter wrote the following on 07/11/2007 06:16 PM:
> Hi,
>
> Actually I disagree ;)
>
>  From reading below the question is "is it an independent and separate 
> work"? The GNU FAQ says its not:
> http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#GPLAndPlugins
>
> Thanx,
> Jaap
>
> Fulko.Hew@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> > wireshark-dev-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote on 07/11/2007 10:45:27 AM:
> >
> > > No, you can't keep the code for you nor limit the distribution of the
> > > plugin object code. It is the basic principle of the GPL. If you're
> > > distributing/selling your plugin, you have to distribute the code. And
> > > everyone receiving (paying for) this code may distribute it again and
> > > again ... without your permission :)
> > Actually, I'd dissagree.  With GPL v2, there is a clause that a
> > developer can invoke if they write their code appropriately,
> > and if the 'infrastructure' can support it.
> >
> > GPL 2 Section 2 paragraph 2, 3 and 4 cover this aspect.
> > (Note GPL v3, no longer appears to have these clauses.)
> >
> > Basically...
> > a) if the infrastructure can support 3rd party code invoked
> >    dynamically at run time, and
> > b) if the infrastructure does not 'depend' on the 3rd party
> >    code for its operation, and
> > c) if your code is not statically linked with GPL'ed code
> >
> > then you can release a binary-only version of your code without
> > providing source.
> >
> > So to paraphrase:
> > - if Wireshark isn't linked with your code, and
> > - Wireshark can still function without your code, and
> > - your code isn't linked to GPL'ed code, and
> > - someone can replace your code with an equivalent (but seperately
> >   developed) module
> > then your OK.
> >
> > FYI. Those paragraphs state:
> >
> > "These requirements apply to the modified work as a whole.
> >  If identifiable sections of that work are not derived from
> >  the Program, and can be reasonably considered independent
> >  and separate works in themselves, then this License, and
> >  its terms, do not apply to those sections when you distribute
> >  them as separate works. But when you distribute the same
> >  sections as part of a whole which is a work based on the
> >  Program, the distribution of the whole must be on the terms
> >  of this License, whose permissions for other licensees extend
> >  to the entire whole, and thus to each and every part
> >  regardless of who wrote it.
> >
> >  Thus, it is not the intent of this section to claim rights or
> >  contest your rights to work written entirely by you; rather,
> >  the intent is to exercise the right to control the distribution
> >  of derivative or collective works based on the Program.\
> >
> >  In addition, mere aggregation of another work not based on the
> >  Program with the Program (or with a work based on the Program)
> >  on a volume of a storage or distribution medium does not bring
> >  the other work under the scope of this License."
> >
> >
> > > Jon Andersen wrote:
> > > > I'm concerned about the requirements of the GPLv2 license.
> > > >
> > > > If I write a plugin for Wireshark, which compiles to a plugin DLL only,
> > > > and then I distribute the plugin DLL, am I required by the GPL license
> > > > to distribute the source (and for anyone I distribute it to, they can
> > > > redistribute the source even if I don't want them to)?
> > > >
> > > > I'm wondering if I can legally distribute only the plugin DLL (and
> > limit
> > > > the distribution of it), and not distribute the source at all.
>
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