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GNU LIBRARY GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE |
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Version 2, June 1991 |
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Copyright (C) 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
GNU LESSER GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE |
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675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA |
Version 2.1, February 1999 |
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Copyright (C) 1991, 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
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51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 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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The licenses for most software are designed to take away your |
The licenses for most software are designed to take away your |
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freedom to share and change it. By contrast, the GNU General Public |
freedom to share and change it. By contrast, the GNU General Public |
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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 |
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For example, if you distribute copies of the library, whether gratis |
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Our method of protecting your rights has two steps: (1) copyright |
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permission to copy, distribute and/or modify the library. |
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Finally, any free program is threatened constantly by software |
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free use or not licensed at all. |
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Most GNU software, including some libraries, is covered by the ordinary |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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library does the same job as widely used non-free libraries. In this |
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will lead to faster development of free libraries. |
case, there is little to gain by limiting the free library to free |
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In other cases, permission to use a particular library in non-free |
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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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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 |
GNU LESSER GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE |
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GNU LIBRARY 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 |
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General Public License (also called "this License"). Each licensee is |
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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 |
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prepared so as to be conveniently linked with application programs |
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"Source code" for a work means the preferred form of the work for |
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interface definition files, plus the scripts used to control compilation |
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compilation |
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and installation of the library. |
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Activities other than copying, distribution and modification are not |
Activities other than copying, distribution and modification are not |
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ordinary GNU General Public License has appeared, then you can specify |
ordinary GNU General Public License has appeared, then you can specify |
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that version instead if you wish.) Do not make any other change in |
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these notices. |
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Once this change is made in a given copy, it is irreversible for |
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that copy, so the ordinary GNU General Public License applies to all |
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subsequent copies and derivative works made from that copy. |
subsequent copies and derivative works made from that copy. |
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distribute the object code for the work under the terms of Section 6. |
distribute the object code for the work under the terms of Section 6. |
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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 |
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Library will not necessarily be able to recompile the application |
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to use the modified definitions.) |
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b) Accompany the work with a written offer, valid for at |
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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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least three years, to give the same user the materials |
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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 |
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specified materials from the same place. |
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d) 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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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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accompany the operating system. Such a contradiction means you cannot |
accompany the operating system. Such a contradiction means you cannot |
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use both them and the Library together in an executable that you |
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distribute. |
distribute. |
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7. You may place library facilities that are a work based on the |
7. You may place library facilities that are a work based on the |
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Library side-by-side in a single library together with other library |
Library side-by-side in a single library together with other library |
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facilities not covered by this License, and distribute such a combined |
facilities not covered by this License, and distribute such a combined |
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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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infringement or for any other reason (not limited to patent issues), |
infringement or for any other reason (not limited to patent issues), |
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conditions are imposed on you (whether by court order, agreement or |
conditions are imposed on you (whether by court order, agreement or |
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the only way you could satisfy both it and this License would be to |
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refrain entirely from distribution of the Library. |
refrain entirely from distribution of the Library. |
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If any portion of this section is held invalid or unenforceable under any |
If any portion of this section is held invalid or unenforceable under |
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particular circumstance, the balance of the section is intended to apply, |
any particular circumstance, the balance of the section is intended to |
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and the section as a whole is intended to apply in other circumstances. |
apply, and the section as a whole is intended to apply in other |
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circumstances. |
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It is not the purpose of this section to induce you to infringe any |
It is not the purpose of this section to induce you to infringe any |
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patents or other property right claims or to contest validity of any |
patents or other property right claims or to contest validity of any |
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12. If the distribution and/or use of the Library is restricted in |
12. If the distribution and/or use of the Library is restricted in |
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certain countries either by patents or by copyrighted interfaces, the |
certain countries either by patents or by copyrighted interfaces, the |
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original copyright holder who places the Library under this License may add |
original copyright holder who places the Library under this License |
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an explicit geographical distribution limitation excluding those countries, |
may add an explicit geographical distribution limitation excluding those |
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so that distribution is permitted only in or among countries not thus |
countries, so that distribution is permitted only in or among |
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excluded. In such case, this License incorporates the limitation as if |
countries not thus excluded. In such case, this License incorporates |
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written in the body of this License. |
the limitation as if 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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the Free Software Foundation. If the Library does not specify a |
the Free Software Foundation. If the Library does not specify a |
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license version number, you may choose any version ever published by |
license version number, you may choose any version ever published by |
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the Free Software Foundation. |
the Free Software Foundation. |
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^L |
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14. If you wish to incorporate parts of the Library into other free |
14. If you wish to incorporate parts of the Library into other free |
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programs whose distribution conditions are incompatible with these, |
programs whose distribution conditions are incompatible with these, |
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write to the author to ask for permission. For software which is |
write to the author to ask for permission. For software which is |
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of all derivatives of our free software and of promoting the sharing |
of all derivatives of our free software and of promoting the sharing |
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and reuse of software generally. |
and reuse of software generally. |
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NO WARRANTY |
NO WARRANTY |
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15. BECAUSE THE LIBRARY IS LICENSED FREE OF CHARGE, THERE IS NO |
15. BECAUSE THE LIBRARY IS LICENSED FREE OF CHARGE, THERE IS NO |
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WARRANTY FOR THE LIBRARY, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. |
WARRANTY FOR THE LIBRARY, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. |
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SUCH HOLDER OR OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH |
SUCH HOLDER OR OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH |
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DAMAGES. |
DAMAGES. |
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END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS |
END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS |
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^L |
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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 |
468 |
possible use to the public, we recommend making it free software that |
possible use to the public, we recommend making it free software that |
469 |
everyone can redistribute and change. You can do so by permitting |
everyone can redistribute and change. You can do so by permitting |
470 |
redistribution under these terms (or, alternatively, under the terms of the |
redistribution under these terms (or, alternatively, under the terms |
471 |
ordinary General Public License). |
of the ordinary General Public License). |
472 |
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To apply these terms, attach the following notices to the library. It is |
To apply these terms, attach the following notices to the library. |
474 |
safest to attach them to the start of each source file to most effectively |
It is safest to attach them to the start of each source file to most |
475 |
convey the exclusion of warranty; and each file should have at least the |
effectively convey the exclusion of warranty; and each file should |
476 |
"copyright" line and a pointer to where the full notice is found. |
have at least the "copyright" line and a pointer to where the full |
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notice is found. |
478 |
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<one line to give the library's name and a brief idea of what it does.> |
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<one line to give the library's name and a brief idea of what it |
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does.> |
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Copyright (C) <year> <name of author> |
Copyright (C) <year> <name of author> |
483 |
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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 |
485 |
modify it under the terms of the GNU Library General Public |
modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public |
486 |
License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either |
License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either |
487 |
version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version. |
version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version. |
488 |
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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, |
490 |
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of |
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of |
491 |
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU |
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU |
492 |
Library General Public License for more details. |
Lesser General Public License for more details. |
493 |
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494 |
You should have received a copy of the GNU Library General Public |
You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public |
495 |
License along with this library; if not, write to the Free |
License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software |
496 |
Software Foundation, Inc., 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. |
Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA |
497 |
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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 |
499 |
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mail. |
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501 |
You should also get your employer (if you work as a programmer) or your |
You should also get your employer (if you work as a programmer) or |
502 |
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your |
503 |
school, if any, to sign a "copyright disclaimer" for the library, if |
school, if any, to sign a "copyright disclaimer" for the library, if |
504 |
necessary. Here is a sample; alter the names: |
necessary. Here is a sample; alter the names: |
505 |
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506 |
Yoyodyne, Inc., hereby disclaims all copyright interest in the |
Yoyodyne, Inc., hereby disclaims all copyright interest in the |
507 |
library `Frob' (a library for tweaking knobs) written by James Random Hacker. |
library `Frob' (a library for tweaking knobs) written by James |
508 |
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Random Hacker. |
509 |
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510 |
<signature of Ty Coon>, 1 April 1990 |
<signature of Ty Coon>, 1 April 1990 |
511 |
Ty Coon, President of Vice |
Ty Coon, President of Vice |
512 |
|
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513 |
That's all there is to it! |
That's all there is to it! |
514 |
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515 |
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