Re: License issue and Apple iTunes App Store: GNU LGPL dilemma

On Wed, Jun 08, 2011 at 10:06:47PM +0200, Xander Maas wrote:
> 
> I am busy developing an app for iOS for our school. It is an app that makes it possible for students to check their balance for printing (it connects to an Equitrac SQL server).

Sounds like an interesting project.  I doubt you're the only one interested in using FreeTDS on iOS.  

> We are testing it yet on a few devices, but when we want it to be available for the students, we have to publish it through the iTunes App Store. Will this break the LGPL, under which the FreeTDS library is published? The app would be published free, but the libary is statically linked.


For a definitive answer, you want to consult the SFLC.  There are many ways to meet the LGPL requirements.  I'll tell you what I would do if I were you.  You could ask them if you want to be sure.  

The basic rule is that your user -- the iTunes purchaser (even if price is $0) -- has to be able to replace FreeTDS in your application.  There's no rule that says the tools he'd need must be free; it's OK if he needs a $500 Apple thingamajig.  There's also no rule that he gets your source code.  But you have to make it possible for him to swap in FreeTDS 1.12 if and when that becomes available.  

To do that, you provide three things:

1.  Unlinked object files compiled from your application.  
2.  FreeTDS; a link to the URL suffices. 
3.  Build instructions, preferably the Makefile/projectfile you used.  

Whether or not you must provide these things via iTunes, I'm not sure.  I don't think so.  I think it's enough if it's on your website somewhere, or otherwise easily found and obtained.  I doubt anyone would complain in that case.  

> #if !defined (_WINDEF_) && !defined(_WINDEF_H) && !defined(_DOS32X_) && !defined(OBJC_BOOL_DEFINED)

Thanks for the tip!  

--jkl