How does licensing works gl4java,jogl, lwjgl?

General Discussions
#1

I found this really nice 3D Applet demo :

http://www.viewlife.fr/

part of gl4java are in one of the subfolder in the compressed cab file : appletWebseed.cab
part of lwjgl are in one of the subfolder in the compressed zip file: native.jar

http://www.viewlife.fr/Applet/Ajax/appletWebseed.cab
http://www.viewlife.fr/Applet/Ajax/native.jar

It is produced by the frnch compagny cedreo, just look at “dzzd” into google.fr (not google.com) and click on the commercial links on the right … this is already strange thats my nick name is used to promote this compagny, no?

I would like to know if : is that ok with their (gl4java and lwjgl) licensing terms ?

would it be correct with jogl licensing term ? if jogl dont know and if I do not mention anywhere that Jogl is inside ?!

If it is correct it is a good news as it will made some things easier, but if it’s not it is strange for me that this demo exist to promote a compagny…

#2

Applet deployment is a bit tricky.

In a normal zipped or installed application you can include a license file in the docs directory or the manual.
With an applet there is no such thing. The best you can hope for - and people ought to do that, is a mention of the usage of libraries in the about screen.
If the applet doesn’t have an about screen, then it becomes very hard to do anything about it.
In that case, I would probably personally add the license file to the root of the main jar file - but it really isn’t required.

So to sum it up, I dont see any issues.

This is my personal oppinion however, not any official statement from lwjgl (we’ve never really had to discuss any license issues as such) - nor am I at liberty to speak for jogl or gl4java.

#3

thanks for this fast answer, so it is allowed to embed any GNU or such application/source code without mention anywhere even if source code is not redistributed ?

#4

no - GPL code is totally different. You are required to provide access to the GPL code.

#5

It seems that they dont ? no?

#6

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-violation.html

#7

well, lwjgl is bsd - so basically anything goes
however gl4java is lgpl which allows linking, but any modifications must be released.

so they’re not violating anything, unless they have modified the gl4java code.

#8

Ok, I have really trouble to understand how BSD and GPL license works…

EDIT.: do you mean that if i got one of those software, embed it in my own software than sell it, I am allowed to do that ? It seems strange as I can create MyGLbinder just using GL4Java embedding in my own software ?! I have trouble understanding what are their licensing rules and would appreciate if someone can explain the basic of those two kind of lisence.

EDIT2: BSD means totally free isn’t ?

#9

this is just a executive overview - and in no way complete:

GPL
All code that is linked must be GPL too. GPL code must be made available to everybody. You may use it freely, at no cost - even in commercial products (though that commercial product must be GPL too if you link with GPL code). Your product may use GPL products though, withut any issues - the main point is that you dont link with the code. This is a definite grey area wrt. Java!

LGPL
You may link to the code without it becomming LGPL (unlike GPL) - however any modifications to the LGPL code must be made available to everybody. You may use it freely, at no cost - even in commercial products - free/opensource or closed.

BSD/MIT
You may use the code and do whatever you want with it - even modify and include in commercal closed source applications.

BSD is one of the least restrictive license - and my prefered - however it doesn’t guarentee freedom like GPL.

For all of the licenses however, you are not allowed to change the owner or copyright holder.

http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/license-list.html

#10

thanks for all of those informations, I think that I have a better idea on them now

thanks again