Not linking but rather using - auto download OK?

[Hubert Figuiere]

On Fri, 2009-01-16 at 14:45 -0500, John Hancock wrote:
> I am an individual programmer, developing a cool software application
> with the hope to make a living selling it over the internet.
> 
> The problem is that this application relies on using separate GPL-ed
> software (e.g. MySQL), running in the background.
> 
> I know that legally (according to the terms of the GPL) I cannot link
> to GPL software without having to open my own source code as well (my
> trade secret), so I thought of a possibly legal alternative:

There are 3 alternatives.

1- Release your application under a license that is compatible with the
GPL used by MySQL.
2- Buy a license from SUN and be done with it. After all you are looking
to make money so it shouldn't be a problem that you also have to pay for
a software.
3- Use a software released under a different license to replace MySQL.

I personally would prefer to see 1.


Hub