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H MySQL FOSS License Exception

Version 4.1, 12 March 2004

The MySQL AB Exception for non-GPL Free and Open Source Software-only Applications Using MySQL Client Libraries (the "FOSS Exception").

23.9 Exception Intent

We want FOSS-only (Free and Open Source Software) applications to be able to use GPL-licensed MySQL Client libraries despite the fact that not all FOSS licenses are compatible with the GPL. Therefore we have issued the following exception:

23.10 Legal Terms and Conditions

As a special exception to the terms and conditions of version 2.0 of the GPL:

You are free to distribute Derivative Works that are formed entirely from works licensed under one or more of the licenses listed below without affecting the license terms of the works, as long as:

  1. You obey the GNU General Public License in all respects for the Program and the Derivative Work, except for identifiable sections of that work which are not derived from the Program, and which can reasonably be considered independent and separate works in themselves,
  2. You distribute all identifiable sections of the Derivative Work which are not derived from the Program, and which can reasonably be considered independent and separate works in themselves, subject to one of the licenses listed below,
  3. The Derivative Work does not include or aggregate any part of the MySQL Server (SQL Engine) or any modifications, translations or other derivatives thereof,
  4. If the above conditions are not met, then the Program may only be copied, modified, distributed or used under the terms and conditions of the GPL or another valid licensing option from MySQL AB.
License name Version(s)/Copyright Date
Academic Free License 2.0
Apache Software License 1.0/1.1/2.0
Apple Public Source License 2.0
Artistic license From Perl 5.8.0
BSD license "July 22 1999"
Common Public License 1.0
GNU General Public License (GPL) 2.0
GNU Library or "Lesser" General Public License (LGPL) 2.1
Jabber Open Source License 1.0
MIT license -
Mozilla Public License (MPL) 1.0/1.1
PHP License 3.0
Python license (CNRI Python License) -
Python Software Foundation License 2.1.1
Sleepycat License "1999"
W3C License "2001"
Zlib/libpng License -
Zope Public License 2.0

Due to the many variants of some of the above licenses, we require that any version follow the Open Source Definition by the Open Source Initiative (see opensource.org).

As used in this document, the term "include or aggregate" means to embed, integrate, bundle, aggregate, link, distribute on the same media or in the same packaging, provide with instructions to download or automate any of the preceding processes.

Terms used, but not defined, herein shall have the meaning provided in version 2 of the GPL.

Derivative Work means a derivative work under copyright law: that is to say, a work containing the Program or a portion of it, either verbatim or with modifications and/or translated into another language.

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