I don't see how this is any different from how Java has to deal with what is considered "derivative work" under the GPL for code that uses the JRE. Similarly, I

I don't see how this is any different from how Java has to deal with what is considered "derivative work" under the GPL for code that uses the JRE. Similarly, I see no reason the solution employed by Java wouldn't work for your example AGPL db. I'm talking, of course, about the Class path exceptions.