Itzam-Core Licensing Policy - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Itzam-Core is 100% GPL, and if your use of it is 100% GPL compliant, then you never have to pay me for a license. In all other instances, you are better served by purchasing a non-free license. "GPL" refers to the GNU General Public License. You can find the definitive version of the GPL in the file "LICENSE.GPL". The Itzam-Core distribution includes the text of the GPL in the LICENSE.GPL file. Itzam-Core is also available under non-free non-GPL license. The LICENSE.NON-FREE file contains a default license; I am always open to discussing terms that fit an individual customer's needs and finances. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - License Choices If your application is licensed under the GPL, you are free and welcome to ship GPL-licensed Itzam-Core software with your application. By "application" I mean any type of software application, system, tool or utility. For doing this, you do not need a separate signed agreement with me, because the GPL text is sufficient. As long as you never distribute Itzam-Core software (or software that forms a derivative work with Itzam-Core software) in any way, you are free to use it for powering your application, irrespective of the license the application is under. You are allowed to modify GPL-licensed Itzam-Core software any way you like. If you choose to distribute any software that forms a derivative work with GPL licensed Itzam-Core software then the entire derivative work must be placed under the terms and conditions of the GPL. You are allowed to copy Itzam-Core binaries and source code, but when you do so, the copies will fall under the GPL license. A derivative work is a work that is based in whole or in part on another work. Your national copyright law may provide additional information on when a derivative work is formed. If you are unsure of whether or not your combination of GPL licensed Itzam-Core software with other software forms a derivative work, then I recommend placing the derivative work under the GPL or purchasing a non-free license. If your application is not licensed under the GPL and you intend to distribute Itzam-Core software (be that internally or externally), you must first obtain a non-free license to the Itzam-Core software. So, if you include Itzam-Core in your non-GPL licensed application you need a non-free license for Itzam-Core. If you desire a warranty, support or consulting on the use of Itzam-Core, you need a non-free license. Many users opt for the non-free license simply because under it, I take formal responsibility for the product. Under the GPL license, there are no warranties or representations for the software. If you represent a non-profit organization or an academic institution, I recommend you to put your own application under GPL. Thereby you are free to use Itzam-Core software free of charge under the GPL license. If you are a private individual you are free to use Itzam-Core software for your personal applications, as long as you do not distribute them. Please note that even if you ship a free demo version of your own application, the above rules apply. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Recommendations To all non-free organizations I recommend the non-free license. Not only does this release you from the requirements of the GPL license, it also gives you a license letter from Itzam-Core where I assume responsibility for my product. The GPL license is an "as is" license with no warranties whatsoever. To all GPL/Open Source enthusiasts I recommend licensing Itzam-Core under the GPL license. To anyone in doubt, I recommend the non-free license. It is never wrong. I am able to sell non-free licenses at prices well under the industry average, and this is without compromising my own profitability. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Older Versions Itzam-Core is based on code that has been around in many forms for several years. Some of it was used in my early C++ programming books; other pieces of code stem from web site articles or personal development projects. A few classes resulted from non-free projects. In all cases, the code is mine, I wrote it, and I'm making it available simply because I see no reason why I shouldn't. Because of the long history of this code, older versions were released under an inconsistent mish-mash of licenses. With this release, I've formalized Itzam-Core under the GPL, in keeping with standard industry practices. I may have my quibbles with the GPL, but it has the advantages of being well-understood and well-debated. If you have any questions on Itzam-Core licensing, feel free to contact me at scott.ladd@coyotegulch.com. ..Scott
