[ale] MySql scare tactics?

[George Carless]

I think you're all flying off the handle for no good reason.  MySQL is
licensed in more than one way.  What they're saying is that you're able to
use it *either* if you are using it under the terms of the GPL, in which
case all of those terms apply, *or* if you're just using it internally for
your application and not distributing it internally.  Accordingly, the
GPL never comes into play.

It is true, I believe, that internal distribution under the GPL would not
necessitate opening the source etc. -- but that's a moot point, since
they've already said that if you are using MySQL under the GPL then it is
the terms of the GPL that apply.  But they're also saying that you can use
their software internally, modifying it all you like, etc. etc., without
even needing to know what the GPL is.  This is presumably to avoid
frightening away those folks who're taken in by the "GPL is evil viral
stuff" FUD; in practice, I can't see that it makes any difference
whatsoever, but it means those people can feel warm and fuzzy knowing that
they're using the software legally without being 'constrained' by the GPL.

--George