Re: gEDA-user: More footprint stuff

[Florian Steiper <florian.steiper@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

DJ Delorie wrote:

> > I think the question is the other way around, what happens if you
> > use GPL/ed footprints/components in an commerical design, Will
> > somebody come along and say that you'll have to give the
> > schematics/pcb files to the public becuase you used GPL'ed
> > Symbols/Footprints to produce the board.
> >    
>
> Well, they *can*.  So far, it's been a question of *will* they.
>
>  
>
> > Maybe it would be possible to get the footprints/symbols under a
> > license similar to the one of the libc, which allows you to use it
> > in commercial projects without having to release the source of your
> > project.
> >    
>
> Bad example.  Linux's libc is GPL'd also.
>  
As much as I understand there are two slightly different versions of the 
GPL, the "normal" GPL and the LGPL (Lesser GPL) which is used for some 
libraries, so commercial programs who use this library (or link against 
it) are allowed to stay proprietary. Now I am not sure how much 
footprints and Libraries are alike, in the sense that you could say that 
linking against a library is the same as using a footprint in a design.

ciao

      Florian