Re: bundling software with TSVN?

On Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 12:21 AM, Stefan Küng <tortoisesvn_at_gmail.com> wrote:
> > Well, you (or more generally the "TortoiseSVN Project")
> > will be distributing some product (TSVN+toolbar) in the binary form.
> > This product will be, obviously, derived from GPL software (TSVN)
>
> Please have a look in your dictionary about the term "derived".
> Bundling something is not the same as deriving. We don't even *link*
> (neither statically nor dynamically) link to it, nor does the toolbar to
> TSVN.

Well, if MSI is threated as an executable file, then according to
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#MereAggregation
it will be derived work.
But you might say that MSI is just a fancy archiver...
Or do you plan to distribute toolbar as a separate download?

Ok, forget the "derived" part and let me re-state my argument this way:
1) You will distribute a package called "TortoiseSVN-1.x.x-32.msi"
2) This package will be a binary distribution and should either
  a) be accompanied by source code, or
  b) NOT be under the GPL.

It is quite possible that my understanding of English and/or GPL is flawed.
So you might prefer to ask FSF instead of wasting your time
on my silly arguments ;-)

-- 
Alexander S. Klenin
Insight Experts Ltd.