GPL and Python modules.

[Charles Hixson]

Peter Otten wrote:

>Grant Edwards wrote:
>
>  
>
>>Let's say I use a GPL'd python module (e.g. something installed
>>in site-packages) in an application.
>>    
>>
>
>I'd say everything that uses a GPL'd module is derived work and must also be
>GPL'd. It doesn't matter how you distribute it. If the module is under the
>LGPL you could use it in a closed source app but must make available any
>changes to the original module.
>
>Peter
>
>  
>
I don't think that's correct.  If you distribute the source, then I 
don't think that you need to GPL the code (and if you GPL the code, you 
*must* distribute the source anyway...so....).

The thing is, the source, although it depends on the GPL code to execute 
is not itself linked to the GPL code.  It tells you (in the import 
statement) that you'll need it, but that's a different matter.  You 
might just want to study how some part of it worked.

I doubt that this is much help to you though.  Usually when people ask 
such a question it's because they intend to distribute a closed source 
version, and I don't think you can do that.  (But don't take my advice 
as a certainty.  I'm quite biased in favor of the GPL.)