Can my GPL v3 software load unamed licensed libraries?

Question

I am writing a non-commercial and academic GPL v3 program and want to know if it is ok to load an unspecified/unnamed closed-source license like this one:

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That's not an open-source license... – Stephen Kitt Aug 17 '16 at 16:03 — Stephen Kitt, Aug 17 '16 at 16:03
Sorry about that, should I delete the question? – cpicanco Aug 17 '16 at 16:11 — cpicanco, Aug 17 '16 at 16:11
not at all. You question is in the context of the GPL – Philippe Ombredanne Aug 17 '16 at 17:05 — Philippe Ombredanne, Aug 17 '16 at 17:05

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 17 '16 at 20:42

3

The FSF provides two great FAQs on precisely this subject, here and here. In a nutshell, you can do so as the copyright holder of the GPL work, but users will not be able to use the GPL's rights to its fullest extent.

In your case, I would recommend a license with a weaker copyleft, which does not require that recipients license the whole work under its terms. Depending on your needs, the LGPL, CeCILL, or MPL may be appropriate.

answered Aug 17 '16 at 20:42

EMBLEM

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I think I will rewrite the code with another library, GPL v3 compatible, instead! – cpicanco Aug 18 '16 at 18:43

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 17 '16 at 17:13

I am writing a non-commercial and academic GPL v3 program and want to know if it is ok to load an unspecified/unnamed closed-source license like this one

This is perfectly OK as on the face of it you seem to be a non-commercial person per this license.

I can use this with my GPL code alright anyway I want.... BUT can I redistribute this with anyone else?

I would likely not be able to redistribute that proprietary, non-commercial library and my GPL code being unable to run without it may (big may?) be violating the GPL if redistributed. Commercial usage is one of the freedoms that cannot be prohibited per the GPL.

So I would use it but I would likely refrain from sharing or redistributing my own GPL code. And since this would then be my own private usage code, the license would not matter much, as I would be the only user.

The big may may need more clarification though.

Can my GPL v3 software load unamed licensed libraries?

Licence

2 Answers2

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