GNU code in DLLs

[Markus Mikkolainen]

IANAL but unless they have a statement which says taht such and such code 
is under GPL and you can get the source from <here> , they are already in 
breach. I dont think activation codes change anything. DLL interfaces 
might change something if it is a plugin interface. I suggest you contact 
the copyright holders with evidence and ask them.


On Fri, 5 Feb 2010, Kevin Grant wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I have stumbled upon a commercial software package which contains GNU
> GPL licensed code and has no source available for download.
> Technically, I suppose they are not violating the GPL unless I ask for
> source and they refuse (correct?) but I am unsure of how much source
> code to ask for.
>
> The application is windows based and is split into 50 or so DLLs, some
> of those DLLs contain gcc-avr and sdcc compiler code, both licensed
> under the GPL with copyrights held by FSF and Sandeep Dutta (I think)
> respectively. I believe all the exectuable code is delivered in one
> install, although purchased unlock codes are required to enable the
> compiler functionality.
>
> In this case, how much code should be made available to the community,
> just that for the DLLs containing GPL code....or does it go further
> than that? Does the inclusion of unlock codes to enable GPL code muddy
> the waters?
>
> I can supply a trial download link to the vendors website, but want to
> be sure of my facts first.
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Kevin
>
>