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GNU LIBRARY GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE |
GNU LESSER GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE |
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Version 2, June 1991 |
Version 2.1, February 1999 |
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Copyright (C) 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
Copyright (C) 1991, 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
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59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA |
59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA |
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Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies |
Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies |
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of this license document, but changing it is not allowed. |
of this license document, but changing it is not allowed. |
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[This is the first released version of the library GPL. It is |
[This is the first released version of the Lesser GPL. It also counts |
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numbered 2 because it goes with version 2 of the ordinary GPL.] |
as the successor of the GNU Library Public License, version 2, hence |
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the version number 2.1.] |
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Preamble |
Preamble |
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Licenses are intended to guarantee your freedom to share and change |
Licenses are intended to guarantee your freedom to share and change |
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free software--to make sure the software is free for all its users. |
free software--to make sure the software is free for all its users. |
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This license, the Library General Public License, applies to some |
This license, the Lesser General Public License, applies to some |
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specially designated Free Software Foundation software, and to any |
specially designated software packages--typically libraries--of the |
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other libraries whose authors decide to use it. You can use it for |
Free Software Foundation and other authors who decide to use it. You |
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your libraries, too. |
can use it too, but we suggest you first think carefully about whether |
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this license or the ordinary General Public License is the better |
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When we speak of free software, we are referring to freedom, not |
strategy to use in any particular case, based on the explanations below. |
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price. Our General Public Licenses are designed to make sure that you |
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have the freedom to distribute copies of free software (and charge for |
When we speak of free software, we are referring to freedom of use, |
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this service if you wish), that you receive source code or can get it |
not price. Our General Public Licenses are designed to make sure that |
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if you want it, that you can change the software or use pieces of it |
you have the freedom to distribute copies of free software (and charge |
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in new free programs; and that you know you can do these things. |
for this service if you wish); that you receive source code or can get |
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it if you want it; that you can change the software and use pieces of |
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it in new free programs; and that you are informed that you can do |
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these things. |
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To protect your rights, we need to make restrictions that forbid |
To protect your rights, we need to make restrictions that forbid |
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anyone to deny you these rights or to ask you to surrender the rights. |
distributors to deny you these rights or to ask you to surrender these |
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These restrictions translate to certain responsibilities for you if |
rights. These restrictions translate to certain responsibilities for |
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you distribute copies of the library, or if you modify it. |
you if you distribute copies of the library or if you modify it. |
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For example, if you distribute copies of the library, whether gratis |
For example, if you distribute copies of the library, whether gratis |
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or for a fee, you must give the recipients all the rights that we gave |
or for a fee, you must give the recipients all the rights that we gave |
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you. You must make sure that they, too, receive or can get the source |
you. You must make sure that they, too, receive or can get the source |
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code. If you link a program with the library, you must provide |
code. If you link other code with the library, you must provide |
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complete object files to the recipients so that they can relink them |
complete object files to the recipients, so that they can relink them |
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with the library, after making changes to the library and recompiling |
with the library after making changes to the library and recompiling |
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it. And you must show them these terms so they know their rights. |
it. And you must show them these terms so they know their rights. |
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Our method of protecting your rights has two steps: (1) copyright |
We protect your rights with a two-step method: (1) we copyright the |
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the library, and (2) offer you this license which gives you legal |
library, and (2) we offer you this license, which gives you legal |
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permission to copy, distribute and/or modify the library. |
permission to copy, distribute and/or modify the library. |
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Also, for each distributor's protection, we want to make certain |
To protect each distributor, we want to make it very clear that |
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that everyone understands that there is no warranty for this free |
there is no warranty for the free library. Also, if the library is |
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library. If the library is modified by someone else and passed on, we |
modified by someone else and passed on, the recipients should know |
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want its recipients to know that what they have is not the original |
that what they have is not the original version, so that the original |
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version, so that any problems introduced by others will not reflect on |
author's reputation will not be affected by problems that might be |
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the original authors' reputations. |
introduced by others. |
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Finally, any free program is threatened constantly by software |
Finally, software patents pose a constant threat to the existence of |
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patents. We wish to avoid the danger that companies distributing free |
any free program. We wish to make sure that a company cannot |
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software will individually obtain patent licenses, thus in effect |
effectively restrict the users of a free program by obtaining a |
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transforming the program into proprietary software. To prevent this, |
restrictive license from a patent holder. Therefore, we insist that |
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we have made it clear that any patent must be licensed for everyone's |
any patent license obtained for a version of the library must be |
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free use or not licensed at all. |
consistent with the full freedom of use specified in this license. |
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Most GNU software, including some libraries, is covered by the ordinary |
Most GNU software, including some libraries, is covered by the |
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GNU General Public License, which was designed for utility programs. This |
ordinary GNU General Public License. This license, the GNU Lesser |
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license, the GNU Library General Public License, applies to certain |
General Public License, applies to certain designated libraries, and |
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designated libraries. This license is quite different from the ordinary |
is quite different from the ordinary General Public License. We use |
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one; be sure to read it in full, and don't assume that anything in it is |
this license for certain libraries in order to permit linking those |
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the same as in the ordinary license. |
libraries into non-free programs. |
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The reason we have a separate public license for some libraries is that |
When a program is linked with a library, whether statically or using |
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they blur the distinction we usually make between modifying or adding to a |
a shared library, the combination of the two is legally speaking a |
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program and simply using it. Linking a program with a library, without |
combined work, a derivative of the original library. The ordinary |
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changing the library, is in some sense simply using the library, and is |
General Public License therefore permits such linking only if the |
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analogous to running a utility program or application program. However, in |
entire combination fits its criteria of freedom. The Lesser General |
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a textual and legal sense, the linked executable is a combined work, a |
Public License permits more lax criteria for linking other code with |
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derivative of the original library, and the ordinary General Public License |
the library. |
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treats it as such. |
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We call this license the "Lesser" General Public License because it |
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Because of this blurred distinction, using the ordinary General |
does Less to protect the user's freedom than the ordinary General |
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Public License for libraries did not effectively promote software |
Public License. It also provides other free software developers Less |
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sharing, because most developers did not use the libraries. We |
of an advantage over competing non-free programs. These disadvantages |
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concluded that weaker conditions might promote sharing better. |
are the reason we use the ordinary General Public License for many |
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libraries. However, the Lesser license provides advantages in certain |
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However, unrestricted linking of non-free programs would deprive the |
special circumstances. |
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users of those programs of all benefit from the free status of the |
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libraries themselves. This Library General Public License is intended to |
For example, on rare occasions, there may be a special need to |
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permit developers of non-free programs to use free libraries, while |
encourage the widest possible use of a certain library, so that it becomes |
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preserving your freedom as a user of such programs to change the free |
a de-facto standard. To achieve this, non-free programs must be |
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libraries that are incorporated in them. (We have not seen how to achieve |
allowed to use the library. A more frequent case is that a free |
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this as regards changes in header files, but we have achieved it as regards |
library does the same job as widely used non-free libraries. In this |
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changes in the actual functions of the Library.) The hope is that this |
case, there is little to gain by limiting the free library to free |
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will lead to faster development of free libraries. |
software only, so we use the Lesser General Public License. |
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In other cases, permission to use a particular library in non-free |
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programs enables a greater number of people to use a large body of |
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free software. For example, permission to use the GNU C Library in |
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non-free programs enables many more people to use the whole GNU |
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operating system, as well as its variant, the GNU/Linux operating |
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system. |
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Although the Lesser General Public License is Less protective of the |
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users' freedom, it does ensure that the user of a program that is |
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linked with the Library has the freedom and the wherewithal to run |
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that program using a modified version of the Library. |
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The precise terms and conditions for copying, distribution and |
The precise terms and conditions for copying, distribution and |
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modification follow. Pay close attention to the difference between a |
modification follow. Pay close attention to the difference between a |
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"work based on the library" and a "work that uses the library". The |
"work based on the library" and a "work that uses the library". The |
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former contains code derived from the library, while the latter only |
former contains code derived from the library, whereas the latter must |
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works together with the library. |
be combined with the library in order to run. |
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Note that it is possible for a library to be covered by the ordinary |
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General Public License rather than by this special one. |
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GNU LIBRARY GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE |
GNU LESSER GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE |
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COPYING, DISTRIBUTION AND MODIFICATION |
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COPYING, DISTRIBUTION AND MODIFICATION |
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0. This License Agreement applies to any software library which |
0. This License Agreement applies to any software library or other |
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contains a notice placed by the copyright holder or other authorized |
program which contains a notice placed by the copyright holder or |
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party saying it may be distributed under the terms of this Library |
other authorized party saying it may be distributed under the terms of |
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General Public License (also called "this License"). Each licensee is |
this Lesser General Public License (also called "this License"). |
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addressed as "you". |
Each licensee is addressed as "you". |
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A "library" means a collection of software functions and/or data |
A "library" means a collection of software functions and/or data |
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prepared so as to be conveniently linked with application programs |
prepared so as to be conveniently linked with application programs |
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Any executables containing that work also fall under Section 6, |
Any executables containing that work also fall under Section 6, |
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whether or not they are linked directly with the Library itself. |
whether or not they are linked directly with the Library itself. |
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6. As an exception to the Sections above, you may also compile or |
6. As an exception to the Sections above, you may also combine or |
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link a "work that uses the Library" with the Library to produce a |
link a "work that uses the Library" with the Library to produce a |
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work containing portions of the Library, and distribute that work |
work containing portions of the Library, and distribute that work |
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under terms of your choice, provided that the terms permit |
under terms of your choice, provided that the terms permit |
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Library will not necessarily be able to recompile the application |
Library will not necessarily be able to recompile the application |
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to use the modified definitions.) |
to use the modified definitions.) |
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b) Accompany the work with a written offer, valid for at |
b) Use a suitable shared library mechanism for linking with the |
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Library. A suitable mechanism is one that (1) uses at run time a |
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copy of the library already present on the user's computer system, |
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rather than copying library functions into the executable, and (2) |
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will operate properly with a modified version of the library, if |
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the user installs one, as long as the modified version is |
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interface-compatible with the version that the work was made with. |
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c) Accompany the work with a written offer, valid for at |
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least three years, to give the same user the materials |
least three years, to give the same user the materials |
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specified in Subsection 6a, above, for a charge no more |
specified in Subsection 6a, above, for a charge no more |
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than the cost of performing this distribution. |
than the cost of performing this distribution. |
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c) If distribution of the work is made by offering access to copy |
d) If distribution of the work is made by offering access to copy |
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from a designated place, offer equivalent access to copy the above |
from a designated place, offer equivalent access to copy the above |
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specified materials from the same place. |
specified materials from the same place. |
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d) Verify that the user has already received a copy of these |
e) Verify that the user has already received a copy of these |
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materials or that you have already sent this user a copy. |
materials or that you have already sent this user a copy. |
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For an executable, the required form of the "work that uses the |
For an executable, the required form of the "work that uses the |
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Library" must include any data and utility programs needed for |
Library" must include any data and utility programs needed for |
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reproducing the executable from it. However, as a special exception, |
reproducing the executable from it. However, as a special exception, |
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the source code distributed need not include anything that is normally |
the materials to be distributed need not include anything that is |
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distributed (in either source or binary form) with the major |
normally distributed (in either source or binary form) with the major |
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components (compiler, kernel, and so on) of the operating system on |
components (compiler, kernel, and so on) of the operating system on |
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which the executable runs, unless that component itself accompanies |
which the executable runs, unless that component itself accompanies |
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the executable. |
the executable. |
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original licensor to copy, distribute, link with or modify the Library |
original licensor to copy, distribute, link with or modify the Library |
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subject to these terms and conditions. You may not impose any further |
subject to these terms and conditions. You may not impose any further |
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restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein. |
restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein. |
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You are not responsible for enforcing compliance by third parties to |
You are not responsible for enforcing compliance by third parties with |
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this License. |
this License. |
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11. If, as a consequence of a court judgment or allegation of patent |
11. If, as a consequence of a court judgment or allegation of patent |
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written in the body of this License. |
written in the body of this License. |
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13. The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new |
13. The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new |
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versions of the Library General Public License from time to time. |
versions of the Lesser General Public License from time to time. |
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Such new versions will be similar in spirit to the present version, |
Such new versions will be similar in spirit to the present version, |
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but may differ in detail to address new problems or concerns. |
but may differ in detail to address new problems or concerns. |
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END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS |
END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS |
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Appendix: How to Apply These Terms to Your New Libraries |
How to Apply These Terms to Your New Libraries |
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If you develop a new library, and you want it to be of the greatest |
If you develop a new library, and you want it to be of the greatest |
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possible use to the public, we recommend making it free software that |
possible use to the public, we recommend making it free software that |
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Copyright (C) <year> <name of author> |
Copyright (C) <year> <name of author> |
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This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or |
This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or |
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modify it under the terms of the GNU Library General Public |
modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public |
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License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either |
License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either |
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version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version. |
version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version. |
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This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, |
This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, |
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but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of |
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of |
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MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU |
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU |
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Library General Public License for more details. |
Lesser General Public License for more details. |
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You should have received a copy of the GNU Library General Public |
You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public |
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License along with this library; if not, write to the Free |
License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software |
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Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, |
Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA |
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MA 02111-1307, USA |
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Also add information on how to contact you by electronic and paper mail. |
Also add information on how to contact you by electronic and paper mail. |
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Ty Coon, President of Vice |
Ty Coon, President of Vice |
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That's all there is to it! |
That's all there is to it! |
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