Re: GPL/MPL applies to extensions?

[email protected] wrote:
> Is there some other set of rules that governs Firefox extensions
> (allowed and unallowed purposes of a FF extension)?  Or, do they fall
> under modifications?

If particular source files for an extension reuse source code from 
Mozilla source files then those source files are Modifications in the 
MPL sense; if particular source files in the extension aren't based on 
Mozilla source files then they are not Modifications in this sense.

In the latter case (extension source files that are not Modifications of 
Mozilla code) you have some freedom in how you license the files. (In 
other words, you don't have to necessarily use the standard MPL/GPL/LGPL 
trilicense used in Mozilla proper.) If you are using and distributing 
the underlying Firefox code under MPL terms then you can use any license 
that is MPL-compatible, including a proprietary license. If on the other 
hand you are using and distributing the underlying Firefox code under 
GPL or LGPL terms then you can use any license that is compatible with 
the GPL or LGPL.

Note that this is just a "quick and dirty" summary and is not intended 
as legal advice. The legalities related to licensing extensions can be 
complicated, especially if you want to use proprietary licenses, you 
need to worry about binary licensing vs. source licensing, etc. For 
advice specific to your particular situation you should consult an 
attorney with experience in open source licensing issues.

Frank

-- 
Frank Hecker
[email protected]