LGPL Version Exclusivity (Was: Releasing software under both LGPL 2.1 & 3 - A good idea?)

[colin davidson]

I don't think the licensing really matters until someone release a change to
the code. At that point they have three options, all legal, as far as I can
see. 1 - Release with the same "dual license" as the original was released
under. 2 - release under v2.1 only or 3 - release under v3 only. All three
patches are compatible with the original release, but 2 & 3 are not
compatible with each other.

At least, that's how it appears to me. For a definitive answer, consult a
lawyer.

On Thu, Nov 6, 2008 at 4:50 PM, Mike Oliver <moliver-fC0AHe2n+mcIvw5+aKnW+Pd9D2ou9A/h at public.gmane.org>wrote:

> Quoting Scott Elcomb <psema4-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w at public.gmane.org>:
>
>  On Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 2:30 PM, Scott Elcomb <psema4-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w at public.gmane.org> wrote:
>> [...]
>>
>> In following up with licensing-at-gnu.org, I received this reply:
>>
>>  The "later version" option doesn't mean that the software is licensed
>>  under both LGPLv2.1 and LGPLv3. It means that the software is licensed
>>  under LGPLv2.1 *or* LGPLv3 (with an exclusive "or"), and it is the
>>  option of the distributor to choose which one.
>>
>> I've responded by saying that I'm still thinking on the matter and
>> that I'd be in touch in a few days.
>>
>> I can't quite put my finger on it, but this just strikes me as wrong.
>> (I can release under the LGPLv2.1, but if I want an LGPLv3 version out
>> there someone else has to do it?)
>>
>> Just curious if anyone has any thoughts on this.
>>
>
> I'm not a lawyer, but I just don't believe this can be correct.  I think
> this may be what the GNU people would *like* you to do, but I can't see how
> they can keep you from releasing your IP under whatever licenses you like.
> You have no contractual relationship with them at all.
>
> Or have I missed something?
>
>
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