Re: [oc] Possible problem with LGPL - advice ?

[Rudolf Usselmann <rudi@asics.ws>]

On Sat, 2003-02-22 at 04:21, MikeJ wrote:
> Hi Chaps.
> 
> I have received an email from someone who wishes to use an opencores core,
> but has pointed out some problems with the LGPL that many of us to
> distribute our hardware cores.
> 
> advice ??
> cheers.
> MikeJ


This is exactly why I don't use GPL or LGPL ...
Both of them have been written with software in mind, and can
not be applied to IP cores.

> The terms in the LPGPL (see below) state that the end user must be able
> to replace the core (library) by another version. In the case of an ASIC
> production this would imply that either the synthesized netlist or the
> post-layout files for the whole chip should be provided free of charge.
> 
> This is unacceptable. I would hope the idea behind the open cores would
> be that any changes made to the cores _themselves_ would have to be
> released. But releasing the whole ASIC project (of which the controller
> core would only be a tiny part) makes use of this type of core in any
> sort of commercial project impossible (and together with it the benefits
> of having commercial developers improve the core and release the changes
> will disappear).

I totally agree with you. I am doing a project for an customer as well,
and am facing the same problem. I see two options out of that:

1) Emailing the author of the IP Cores I want to use and try
   to make a independent agreement and license with him/her

2) Write my own cores instead of using a GPL/LGPL OpenCores core.

> Is there any chance of providing an exception to those terms? Something
> like:
> 
> This library is free software; you can distribute it and/or modify it
> under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
> the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or (at
> your option) any later version. However, as an exception to section 6 of
> the GNU Lesser General Public License, you are allowed to provide the
> "work that uses the Library" in a form (e.g. hardware) that does not
> give the user the possibility to replace the Library with a modified
> version.

Isn't there a provision in the GPL and LGPL licenses that one
can NOT make exceptions ?

> If not I'm afraid I will have to scrap your core (like all LGPL-licensed
> cores) from my evaluation for inclusion in a future ASIC.

Not ALL cores require GPL or LGPL licenses.

Any core I have written does not require any license at all.
Several people have send me their own license agreements to
sign. That is to protect them selfs from law suits. Which I
have signed, after careful review.

I know there are other people who followed my model as well.
You should review each core independently.


Regards, 
rudi
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