"viral" (was RE: Licensing options for firmware)

[Roger Fujii]

Ian Lance Taylor wrote:
> "Scott Miller" <scott at opentrac.org> writes:
>>'Viral' also implies propagation, and 'reciprocal' doesn't.
> 
> Yes, precisely, and the GPL doesn't propagate.  If the guy in the seat
> next to me on the plane sneezes, I get his viruses.  That's viral.
> That's not how the GPL works.  You have to invite the GPL into your
> code; it doesn't slip in against your wishes.
> 

Actually, this doesn't have to be true, since you can have the situation where

   Program A -> LGPL lib B -> LGPL lib C

and if LGPL lib C changes to GPL lib C, then Program A must be GPLed, even though
it only calls LGPL lib B (ergo, it'll slip in).  Look at it like inviting a
sick sneezing friend. :)

-r