Re: Interpreted octave code and GPL

[Francesco Potortì]

>On 19/08/2012 17:15, Carnë Draug wrote:
>Ok, but lets put it another way, lets say I write an function in 
>interpreted code and release it under the GPL. Can this then be taken by 
>others and used in a non-free program?

You write a GPL function.  I have a non-free program (or more generally,
a GPL-incompatible program) that needs your function.  My program can
happily and legitimally use your function.  However, if I distribute my
program, I must do it under the terms of the GPL.

This is a generic answer to a generic question.  If you want more detail,
you must provide more.

>If not, then why can I call the Octave core m-files in a non-free 
>program, which is what is implied by the wiki? Surely they're exactly 
>the same, but just have a different origin.

I'd say Octave is an environment, and the core m-files are part of the
environment.  You install the environment in your box.  I give you the
program.  If, on the other hand, I distribute my program together with
the environment, then I must do so under the GPL.  I think this is the
rationale behind
http://wiki.octave.org/FAQ#If_I_write_code_using_Octave_do_I_have_to_release_it_under_the_GPL.3F

Am I right?

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