(In plain text) GPL software as part of a commercial package (e.g. Atmel's AVRStudio v5)

[Vesa Paatero]

Hi,

To Thomas' questions:

>  Where, exactly, do you see a violation?

>  Looks about right.  So what *IS* Vesa talking about then?


Well, the definition of a "program", for example, could be seen differently: From user's point of view, a software entity that has one common user interface is experienced as a "program", regardless of whether its main components are libraries or separate executables.   Whereas among technically-minded people, an single executable is commonly understood as "a program".
  That point is particularly emphasized in the case of embedded software if the user has no access to command line but only sees the user interface. (Yes, GPL v3 address the case of embedded software by requiring installation instructions.)
   The GPLv3 defines: ""The Program" refers to any copyrightable work licensed under this License." Not sure how much we should allow that to affect our intuitive understanding of what "a program" is.

Personally, I'm content with the interpretation that an executable is a program.

- Vesa