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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hi, </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>We are working on a C++ class library/framework for
development and automated testing of user interfaces. The whole project should
become open source, and in fact we will be using some other open or free
projects as well. E.g MySQL for database access, probably eclipse for IDE (the
project will than include extensions to this IDE), some kind of windowing
library (original prototypes were developed with MFC, but will probably be
thrown away as to be able to make it fully open), some xml parsing
(apache?).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hence some licensing questions that I hope somebody
can comment on. We are thinking of a license that allows both 'open' and
commercial reuse of the framework, much like e.g. the LGPL. However we do not
like the LPGL since it is to 'restrictive' for true commercial use (e.g. the
commercial party has to add provisions to replace the framework with other
versions or derivatives). Actually, we want to allow use of the framework to
develop end-user applications that are commercial (non-free, non-copyleft). All
other use should remain open. So if one improves the library itself as a
developers tool, it should be free, copyleft software. Of course, end-user
applications based on the framework are allowed to be open source as
well.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hence we are striving for a license that
allows:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>- Use of the library as open source (e.g. in the
GPL kind of way; NOT LGPL). So derivative works should be open source, free, and
copyleft again.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>- Use of the library in commercial products, in a
way that assures that the commercial product itself can not be used as a
developers tool that competes with our product. E.g. it does not include any
source code, its license forbids adaptation and/or reselling, etc.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Are there software licenses that come close to
these prerequisites and/or are usable as starting points? Are there things I
have to watch out for to stay compatible with licenses of other open source
software I will be 'using'?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thank you for any comments,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Gerjon</FONT></DIV>
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