Re: FSF libgnat

[Samuel Tardieu <sam@rfc1149.net>]

>>>>> "Bj�rn" == Bj�rn Persson <spam-away@nowhere.nil> writes:

Bj�rn> I don't have any of Microsoft's toolkits so I can't look at
Bj�rn> their licenses. What license terms do they impose on the
Bj�rn> binaries you make and distribute?

I am not a Microsoft user but a quick look at

  http://msdn.microsoft.com/visualc/vctoolkit2003/eula.aspx

reads, for example: (best parts reproduced but others are interesting too)

  "3.1 If you are authorized and choose to redistribute Sample Code or
  Redistributable Code (collectively, the "Redistributables") as
  described in Section 2, you agree:
  [...]
  (iii) to distribute the Licensee Software containing the
  Redistributables pursuant to an end user license agreement (which
  may be "break-the-seal", "click-wrap" or signed), with terms no less
  protective than those contained in this EULA;
  [...]
  (v) to display your own valid copyright notice which shall be
  sufficient to protect Microsoft's copyright in the Software;
  [...]
  (vii) to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend Microsoft from and
  against any claims or lawsuits, including attorney's fees, that
  arise or result from the use or distribution of the Licensee
  Software;"

In particular, (iii) imposes heavy constraints on the license you can
choose for your own software. For example, you may not authorize
decompilation of your software, even if you indicate the addresses
corresponding to your code (to prevent Microsoft code from being
decompiled), because your whole executable must have terms as least as
protective as the Microsoft components you use.

  Sam
-- 
Samuel Tardieu -- sam@rfc1149.net -- http://www.rfc1149.net/sam