On 26/01/2005 2:49 p.m., Simon Garner wrote:
The license is referring to software that makes use of the MySQL source code. If you write an application that takes source from MySQL, then you are bound by the MySQL license.
This does not apply to creating an application that interfaces with a MySQL database. You can do whatever you want with your own source code. The MySQL license certainly does not require everyone using MySQL databases to release their applications as open source, that would be ridiculous!
I should clarify the first part. According to the MySQL web site, the license restrictions apply if you distribute the MySQL Software, whether modified or not. The vast majority of MySQL users would not be distributing MySQL (and most wouldn't even be distributing their own application), so they are safe under the GPL.
http://www.mysql.com/company/legal/licensing/opensource-license.html
"Free use for those who never copy, modify or distribute. As long as you never distribute the MySQL Software in any way, you are free to use it for powering your application, irrespective of whether your application is under GPL license or not."
-Simon