# # Some random bits of interest. # # # Arjen about OpenSSL # http://bugs.mysql.com/?id=6924 Updated by: Arjen Lentz Date: 2005-11-05 Linking with the client library is covered by the FLOSS exception which includes OpenSSL now. So that's clean. Indeed, the OpenSSL is not compliant with the FSF free software guidelines, however it *is* compliant with the OSI guidelines. And that's good enough for us. Christian is correct in saying that the author of a GPL app that links with MySQL may find themselves in a licensing headache (or may not realize that OpenSSL is involved) but that is their responsibility. The MySQL client can be linked with a number of other licenses, it would not be feasible for MySQL to take over the responsibility for "the next level" of how combinations of licenses work out. There are too many possibilities, and combinations of more just 2 licenses. # # Steve Langasek about OpenSSL vs libmysqlclient # Subject: Bug#291945: eleventh-hour transition for mysql-using packages related to apache Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 00:39:58 -0800 From: Steve Langasek > > > > that's great to hear! i'm cc'ing the relevant wishlist bug i have open > > > > against mysql-server. christian: any chance of getting an openssl enabled > > > > version of the mysql-client and mysql-server packages? > > > Yes, I will re-enable openssl in the next upload. > > Please make sure this does not introduce an openssl dependency to > > libmysqlclient itself; just because MySQL AB have granted a license > > exception for OpenSSL does not mean everyone who links to libmysqlclient > > has done so. > > I know of at least one GPL-without-exception package that is now using > > libmysqlclient12 in Debian. > Nice, so we should check that any linked GPL library directly (obviuolsy) or > indirectly (with N=1,2,3... levels of indirection) linked against > openssl adds the exception. No, we should simply not be linking libmysqlclient against OpenSSL. The exemption was needed because there exists software that uses both libmysqlclient and libssl, but making libmysqlclient itself use libssl just because we now have the exemption will cause licensing problems for applications which currently do *not* depend on libssl. > This is a great reason to move asap all possible programs to gnutls, > indeed. There are plenty of reasons to move software to gnutls, but doing so is non-trivial.