GPL readline, was Re: [Gllug] Which laptop?

[tet at accucard.com]

>Is this an example of what MS call Viral Licensing?  That is, now that
>readline is GPL, there is no way it can be made LGPL?  So every program
>incorporating readline has to be GPLed too (which wouldn't happen with the
>less restrictive LGPL)?

Essentially correct, yes. Readline *can* be made LGPL, but only if all
the copyright holders agree. If you read the FSF's statements about
GPL vs LGPL, this isn't going to happen (basically, GPL is used
where there is no equivalent product in the non-free world). Which
isn't quite true here (DG/UX has an equivalent library called editread),
but to all intents and purposes, it is, given DG/UX's market share, and
the fact the EMC have decided to kill it off :-(

Tet

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