Not linking but rather using - auto download OK?

[Hendrik Weimer]

John Hancock <jhnhncck19 at googlemail.com> writes:

> In the case of MySQL (brought as an example), it would be just using
> it to store/retrieve data using SQL statements. 

Then the the main question is how these SQL statements are sent to the
MySQL server process.

> If this is considered ""derivative work", then anyone using MySQL in
> his/her web site would be considered violating the GPL terms -
> doesn't make sense...

"Using" is different from "distributing".

> 2) Even if the lawyer gave "warranty" on his work, it seems to me that
> it would be much less expensive to simply buy a proprietary software
> with the proper license (just as Microsoft allows re-distributing
> certain libraries, free of royalties).

Nobody said that it would be cheap to get a free ride of GPLed
software.

> Anyway, I chose MySQL as an example. If MySQL is a "special case",
> let's choose Apache (the HTTP server) as another example:

Any application is a "special case". Apache is not licensed under a
copyleft license, so the question never arises. I suppose you give us
concrete details on what you are up to if you are interested in
relevant answers.

Hendrik