GPL and Python modules.

[Tim Churches]

From: python-list-bounces+tchur=optushome.com.au at python.org 
> [mailto:python-list-bounces+tchur=optushome.com.au at python.org]
>  On Behalf Of Robert Kern
> Sent: Tuesday, 26 October 2004 11:34 AM
> To: python-list at python.org
> Subject: Re: GPL and Python modules.
> 
> 
> Tim Churches wrote:
> > On Tue, 2004-10-26 at 11:12, Robert Kern wrote:
> 
> >>Whether just using system calls is simply "normal use" for a GPLd OS
> >>kernel or this is simply a special exception to the GPL for 
> Linux only 
> >>is something that a court will have to decide. But such a 
> suit would 
> >>have to be about some other GPL kernel, not Linux.
> > 
> > 
> > Looks like it is a special exception for the Linux kernel 
> (or whatever 
> > other Linux code is distributed with this COPYING file. 
> Doesn't apply 
> > to other GPLed code.
> 
> Well, not necessarily. It certainly isn't phrased as one. It 
> is at least 
> a statement of someone's (Linus's?) belief that standard applications 
> that only use system calls and running on Linux are not 
> derivative works 
> with respect to Linux.

Yes, so it is a specific exemption to the GPL granted by the copyright
holder(s) of the Linux kernel code. The GPL allows the copyright holder to
grant exemptions to the GPL privisions as they see fit - but no-one else.

> Are Windows programs actual derivative 
> works of 
> the Windows kernel? Does the Windows EULA make a statement about the 
> derivative status of applications?

No, and no. An important point of difference between the world views held
by, say, Steve Ballmer and, say, Richard Stallman.

Tim C