[SciPy-dev] requesting feedback on/editing of scikits wiki-page

[Stefan van der Walt]

On Mon, May 21, 2007 at 09:42:25AM +0100, Alexander Schmolck wrote:
> > There is also the problem of GPL libraries (qt, pyqt come to mind): I 
> > don't think you can use them in BSD code, right ? But I guess this 
> > becomes the grey area of derivative work. 
> 
> No, not really. The FSF did its best to make sure that only GPLed code can use
> GPLed code -- that's the whole point.

That's not true, strictly speaking.  You can still license *your* part
of the software under the modified BSD license.  From

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#CombinePublicDomainWithGPL

"""
If a program combines public-domain code with GPL-covered code, can I
take the public-domain part and use it as public domain code?

    You can do that, if you can figure out which part is the public
    domain part and separate it from the rest. If code was put in the
    public domain by its developer, it is in the public domain no
    matter where it has been.

"""

The combined product, however, must be distributed under terms of the
GPL.  Since users of Python and Scipy expect BSD-compatible licenses,
it might be a good idea to have scikits print their license terms on
import.

Regards
Stéfan