Re: proposed FAQ entries about licensing

[David Bateman]

Jaroslav Hajek wrote:
> I'm not sure about Windows, but under Linux even MEX compiled files
> contain links to libcruft, liboctave & liboctinterp, which IMHO makes
> them derivatives of Octave. The sources can be distributed under any
> license, if they don't contain Octave-specific stuff.
>
>   
Yes, but theoretically the MEX compiled for Octave can be used with 
Matlab, and thus can be licensed which any license. This is like browser 
plugins, and is what is explicitly written in the FAQ clause propose by 
John. See clause 1 for the conditions of using a MEX...

<quote>

     Code written using Octave's implementation of the Matlab MEX
     interface may be released under the terms of whatever license you
     choose, provided that the following conditions are met:

     1. The plugin should not use any bindings that are specific to
         Octave.  In other words, the MEX file must use the MEX
         interface only, and not also call on other Octave internals.
         It should be possible in principle to use the MEX file with
         other programs that implement the MEX interface (e.g., Matlab).

     2. The MEX file should not be distributed together with Octave in
         such a way that they effectively create a single work.  For
         example, you should not distribute the MEX file and Octave
         together in a single package such that Octave automatically
         loads and runs the MEX file when it starts up.  There are other
         possible ways that you might effectively create a single work;
         this is just one example.

</quote>

D.

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