Licensing info clarified/updated (from David).

parent d6f99ffd
...@@ -1457,20 +1457,21 @@ automatically give you the right to use @code{MySQL AB} trademarks. ...@@ -1457,20 +1457,21 @@ automatically give you the right to use @code{MySQL AB} trademarks.
@subsubsection Using the MySQL Software Under a Commercial License @subsubsection Using the MySQL Software Under a Commercial License
The @code{GPL} license is contagious in the sense that when a program The @code{GPL} license is contagious in the sense that when a program
is linked to a @code{GPL} program the resulting product must also be is linked to a @code{GPL} program all the source code for all the parts
released under @code{GPL} lest you break the license terms and forfeit of the resulting product must also be released under the @code{GPL}.
your right to use the @code{GPL} program altogether. Otherwise you break the license terms and forfeit your right to use the
@code{GPL} program altogether and also risk damages.
You need a commercial license: You need a commercial license:
@itemize @bullet @itemize @bullet
@item @item
When you link a program with code from the @code{MySQL} software or from When you link a program with any @code{GPL} code from the @code{MySQL}
@code{GPL} released clients and don't want the resulting product to be software and don't want the resulting product to be @code{GPL}, maybe
@code{GPL}, maybe because you want to build a commercial product or keep because you want to build a commercial product or keep the added
the added non-@code{GPL} code closed source for other reasons. When non-@code{GPL} code closed source for other reasons. When purchasing
purchasing commercial licenses, you are not using the @code{MySQL} software commercial licenses, you are not using the @code{MySQL} software under
under @code{GPL} even though it's the same code. @code{GPL} even though it's the same code.
@item @item
When you distribute a non-@code{GPL} application that @strong{only} works with the When you distribute a non-@code{GPL} application that @strong{only} works with the
...@@ -1509,37 +1510,39 @@ please contact our sales staff at @email{sales@@mysql.com}. ...@@ -1509,37 +1510,39 @@ please contact our sales staff at @email{sales@@mysql.com}.
@cindex licensing, free @cindex licensing, free
@cindex free licensing @cindex free licensing
You can use the @code{MySQL} software for free under the @code{GPL}: You can use the @code{MySQL} software for free under the @code{GPL} if
you adhere to the conditions of the @code{GPL}.
For more complete coverage of the common questions about the @code{GPL}
see the generic FAQ from the Free Software Foundation at
@uref{http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html}.
Some common cases:
@itemize @bullet @itemize @bullet
@item @item
When you link a program with code from the @code{MySQL} software and When you distribute both your own application as well as the @code{MySQL}
release the resulting product under @code{GPL}. source code under the @code{GPL} with your product.
@item @item
When you distribute the @code{MySQL} source code bundled with When you distribute the @code{MySQL} source code bundled with other
other programs that are not linked to or dependent on @code{MySQL Server} programs that are not linked to or dependent on the @code{MySQL} system
for their functionality even if you sell the distribution commercially. for their functionality even if you sell the distribution commercially.
This is called mere aggregation in the @code{GPL} license.
@item @item
When using the @code{MySQL} software internally in your company. If you are not distributing @strong{any} part of the @code{MySQL}
system, you can use it for free.
@item @item
@cindex ISP services @cindex ISP services
@cindex services, ISP @cindex services, ISP
@cindex services, web @cindex services, web
@cindex Internet Service Providers @cindex Internet Service Providers
When you are an Internet Service Provider (ISPs) offering web When you are an Internet Service Provider (ISP), offering web hosting
hosting with @code{MySQL} servers for your customers. with @code{MySQL} servers for your customers.
On the other hand, we do encourage people to use ISPs that have However, we do encourage people to use ISPs that have MySQL support,
@code{MySQL} support, as this will give them the confidence that if as this will give them the confidence that if they have some problem
they have some problem with the @code{MySQL} installation, their ISP with the @code{MySQL} installation, their ISP will in fact have the
will in fact have the resources to solve the problem for them. resources to solve the problem for them.
All ISPs that want to keep themselves up-to-date should subscribe
to our @code{announce} mailing list so that they can be aware of
critical issues that may be relevant for their @code{MySQL} installations.
Note that even if an ISP does not have a commercial license for Note that even if an ISP does not have a commercial license for
@code{MySQL Server}, they should at least give their customers read @code{MySQL Server}, they should at least give their customers read
access to the source of the @code{MySQL} installation so that the access to the source of the @code{MySQL} installation so that the
...@@ -1548,12 +1551,13 @@ customers can verify that it is patched correctly. ...@@ -1548,12 +1551,13 @@ customers can verify that it is patched correctly.
@item @item
@cindex web server, running @cindex web server, running
@cindex running a web server @cindex running a web server
When you use the @code{MySQL} Database Software in conjunction with When you use the @code{MySQL} Database Software in conjunction with a
a web server, you do not need a commercial license. This is true even web server, you do not need a commercial license (so long as it is not
if you run a commercial web server that uses @code{MySQL Server}, because a product you distribute). This is true even if you run a commercial
you are not selling an embedded @code{MySQL} version yourself. However, web server that uses @code{MySQL Server}, because you are not
in this case we would like you to purchase @code{MySQL} support because distributing any part of the @code{MySQL} system. However, in this
the @code{MySQL} software is helping your enterprise. case we would like you to purchase @code{MySQL} support because the
@code{MySQL} software is helping your enterprise.
@end itemize @end itemize
If your use of @code{MySQL} database software does not require a commercial If your use of @code{MySQL} database software does not require a commercial
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