[chuck-users] embedding ChucK, and Windows8, ARM, etc.

[Kassen]

On Wed, Dec 05, 2012 at 02:51:58PM -0500, Rob Fielding wrote:
> 1) The GPL licensing (SuperCollider as well as ChucK) seems to be an issue
> for anyone trying to host ChucK embedded into a controller process.  Is
> this an actual problem, given that we are generally just linking in
> unmodified build of the sources?

IANAL, this is not legal advice, I don't represent the ChucK team on
this matter.

As long as your controller process has a compatible license and you
also share the code all should be fine. If not there may be a problem
but I think that only starts to matter when you would distribute the
combined work. Between GPL-ed programs you can freely borrow/port.
That is very convenient for those projects.

If that is not practical for you I think you can legally have your
closed source program communicate with ChucK, redistribute ChucK with
your program and add the ChucK source to that.

What you can not do is take GPL software and use it as a part of your
closed project, then sell or otherwise redistribute the result without
the source. If that is what you want/need something like PD which has
a far more liberal license might be what you are after. Personally I
like the GPL, I think it encourages a kind of sharing that benefits
all.  Evidently many other people, like some groups developing stuff
for mobile devices enjoy borrowing PD's source which PD's BSD licence
allows.

You should probably consider what your needs are with regard to
distribution, how closely coupled the synthesis engine and the
controlling process need to be and where you stand on this kind of
sharing here. If in doubt after a closer reading of the GPL you might
want to consult a lawyer. I'd avoid a legal fight, both because those
are no fun and because ChucK comes from Princeton and Stanford.

I hope that clarified things a bit and that I didn't misrepresent
something. I also hope you will make a Free/Open instrument, I think
sharing is fun, but that is up to you and might not be practical in
your situation.

Yours,
Kas.