On Mon, 2006-02-20 at 09:45 -0500, Don Bedsole wrote: > Hi, > Ok, I have to admit, I have not been playing close attention to this > discussion, but what I have seen has raised a question for me. I would like > a clarification. Do I, as an end user have the right to install non-GPL > software (e.g. RealPlayer) on my Linux box if it links to GPL software? Can > I install non-GPL software which links to anything it wants to on my > computer? Is it legal for non-GPL software distributors (RealPlayer, et. al) > to furnish software to me which links to GPL software? Wouldn't it only be a > problem if I were to somehow redistribute the non-GPL--GPL software > combination? In other words, can non-GPL distributors (again RealPlayer for > example), give me whatever software they want to, which links to whatever it > wants to, as long as I, the end-user, do not distribute the resulting > GPL-non--GPL combination? Thank you. AIUI, yes. Distribution is one of the key things in the licensing. You can take GPL software and use it / modify it / add to it in any way you like. Distribution is another ballgame.
