On Wed, Nov 08, 2017 at 03:53:32PM +0100, Hans de Goede wrote:
I don't think static linking against libcups is common enough to be a serious concern - CUPS is fairly ubiquitous and easily falls under the "OS-supplied library" exception in the GPL 2. And existing GPL-2-only software that *does* statically link/copy CUPS code can continue to do so with CUPS 2.2.x and earlier.
Someone should reply to that that the OS exception only applies when distributing binaries separate from said OS, not for binaries bundled with the OS, which all Linux distros are (AFAIK, IANAL).
I'm willing to reply to this, but before I (or anyone else) does so, I think it highly prudent to have fedora-legal weigh in first.
IMHO some sort of ASL / LGPL dual license would be best (if upstream is willing to make such a change).
Agreed, but even if the CUPS authors are personally in favor of this I suspect that it will never happen, given Apple's heavy anti-GPL bias.
- Solomon