On Tue, Dec 8, 2009 at 6:25 PM, Matthew Brecknell
Based on the discussion so far, I think you need to distinguish between distributing source and distributing binaries. For example:
Background: X is a library distributed under GPL. Y is another library which calls external functions in the API of X. Assume X and Y have different authors.
1. Can the author of Y legally distribute the *source* of Y under a non-GPL licence (BSD3, Modified BSD, etc), assuming such source is distributed without any binaries, and is distributed separately from X?
I think you're right — this cuts right to the heart of the main difference in understanding so far. Question 2 can be "If the answer to 1 is no, is there *any* circumstance under which the author of Y can distribute the source of Y under a non-GPL license?"