What considerations should I keep in mind when mixing "libraries" or products based on the LGPL licence with my closed source application. This application is to be deployed as a commercial internet application/service. Can I mix code from both the licences? And will I have to open the source of my application as well? By AJ
Best Answer
You can create propriatory apps on top of open source liscences. Each type of liscence has it's own restrictions. Most however just require that you disclose that you use those libs in your project and link to thier projects in your documentation. You need to read up on the specifics of which open source lic they are using. No you do not have to disclose your source that is on top of the open source libs, only mods to the open source software you use. So for example if you extend the libs those extensions become open source, but the GUI you sit atop them does not. Nor would the seperate code that sits as middleware.
There is currently a bit of contraversy going on with the new GPL lic. Linus Torvald the father of Linux is bitterly opposed to it. It appears to be more restrictive than previous GPL lics. The details I havn't really looked up. Everything I release so far is either web based or GLP stuff anyway, not that I'm doing much coding now days anyway. Other Answer
try wikipedia, google or ask.com