another odd rendering of the GPL from Jasper Reports

Joshua Zeidner jjzeidner at gmail.com
Mon Jan 22 11:04:45 MST 2007


Dan,

  Thanks for your input.

  Thats what I would think, as this is the most common interpretation
of a /distribution/.  As far as I can tell, this is the only instance
of this interpretation.  I know that provisions were proposed in GPLv3
to handle this particular situation.

  http://gplv3.fsf.org/comments/gplv3-draft-2.html

  you will notice that the language cited below is one of the 'hot
areas' of commentary...

"4) terms that require, if a modified version of the material they
cover is a work intended to interact with users through a computer
network, that those users be able to obtain copies of the
Corresponding Source of the work through the same network session; or

  but remember Jasper Reports is GPL v2.1.  I think Jasper Reports is
just trying to intimidate users into complying with their business
model.

  -jmz


On 1/22/07, Dan Lund <situationalawareness at gmail.com> wrote:
> That's silly.
> They are not distributing any part of the application when they make
> reports over the web, or even use GPL.
> The only time this would effect anyone is if they took a GPL
> application, altered it, and started distributing the binaries to the
> public.
> At that moment, they'd only need to make the source available to those
> who ask for it.
>
> --Dan
>
> On 1/21/07, Joshua Zeidner <jjzeidner at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hello,
> >
> >    There is another aspect to Jasper Reports use of the GPL that concerns
> > the meaning of 'distribution' :
> >
> >    "If you plan on distributing (i.e. any person accessing the application
> > is not your own companies employee) a software application, containing
> > JasperServer or JasperReports for SugarCRM, please note that your
> > application may become subject to the GPL."
> >
> >    In other words they've decided that using their GPL system for a web
> > based service would require publication of additions and/or customizations,
> > essentially making any level of commercialization impossible.
> >
> >    I know many cases where GPL software is used for a software/internet
> > service with no problems.  ASMOF, this is probably the most common use of
> > GPL software today.  Given this rendering of the GPL, JasperReports has to
> > shut down their site because it is probably using a Linux kernel.  Is
> > JasperRepors out of line here?
> >
> > -jmz
> >
> > --
> > .0000. communication.
> > .0001. development.
> > .0010. strategy.
> > .0100. appeal.
> >
> > JOSHUA M. ZEIDNER
> > IT Consultant
> >
> > ++power; ++perspective; ++possibilities;
> > ( 602 ) 490 8006
> > jjzeidner at gmail.com
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-- 
.0000. communication.
.0001. development.
.0010. strategy.
.0100. appeal.

JOSHUA M. ZEIDNER
IT Consultant

++power; ++perspective; ++possibilities;
( 602 ) 490 8006
jjzeidner at gmail.com


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