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So if Oracle implements a proprietary API in GPL software does that mean that all Oracle software is copyleft?

• thechao 6y ago
  This is a great question. In the last ten years of this shenanigans I’ve not seen it asked. As an owner of GPL’d APIs, it’s food-for-thought.
• cma 6y ago
  Oracle will no longer be able to use an SQL based language as IBM will have ownership of the API.
  • bigbubba 6y ago
    I wish I could believe this is how it would actually play out in reality.
• Wowfunhappy 6y ago
  Little note: what you're really asking is whether the authors of GPL software would have grounds to sue Oracle for copyright infringement. As another HN commenter put it to me when I made the same mistake: "The GPL is not viral." If one party breaks the terms of the license, then normal copyright goes into effect.
• dragonwriter 6y ago
  > So if Oracle implements a proprietary API in GPL software does that mean that all Oracle software is copyleft? No, not at all. OTOH, it does mean if they implement a GPL interface in proprietary software it does mean that they are in violation of copyright (barring a fair use defense) and the GPL, potentially triggering the loss-of-license provisions of the GPL and other legal consequences.