[KLUG Members] The MySQL License

[Jamie McCarthy]

awilliam@whitemice.org (Adam Tauno Williams) writes:

> Does anyone have a brief synopsis of whatever the recent MySQL
> license changes?

MySQL is distributed with multiple licenses.  The short version is:
"GPL, but if you pay us we'll loosen the restrictions."

I don't think their licensing terms have changed in the last year
or so.

As their docs say, "You can use the MySQL software for free under
the GPL if you adhere to the conditions of the GPL."  Period.

Now, if you find the GPL too restrictive -- for example, if you want
to ship a copy of MySQL with your commercial application but you
don't want to release your source code -- then you need to buy a
commercial license.  If you do that, you'll be using the exact same
software but under a different license, so the GPL is out of the
picture.

Of course, if MySQL is central to your company's work, then MySQL AB
(that's the company) asks you to buy a commercial license, even if
you find the GPL perfectly acceptable.  Basically they ask you to
throw money in the tip jar.  That'd be a nice thing to do but it's
optional :)

The details are a quick read:

http://dev.mysql.com/doc/mysql/en/MySQL_licenses.html

http://dev.mysql.com/doc/mysql/en/Using_the_MySQL_software_under_a_commercial_license.html

http://dev.mysql.com/doc/mysql/en/Using_the_MySQL_software_for_free_under_GPL.html

> I build packages for GNOME-Db (GPL), which includes a MySQL
> provider, which is how I come into this argument.

I don't know what a "provider" is, but if your software is GPL,
then the GPL'd MySQL software should be no problem at all.
-- 
  Jamie McCarthy
 http://mccarthy.vg/
  jamie@mccarthy.vg