Michael writes about a very important issue that needs clarification…
In his blog, he writes
Confusion over open source Java ME
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The concern has to do with the effects of GPL on applications. By not using LGPL -or- not applying the GPL linking exception to Java ME, as was done for Java SE, we might be exposed to the following concern:
As Michael writes “the Java ME license is viral to all software built on top of it.” In other words, every time you write a MIDlet (or Xlet), you are extending the platform, thus, your code must follow GPL.
At first, my interpretation was this would apply if changing or extending the platform-itself (as in the runtime)… After reading Michael's post I did some research on the matter… Read the official FAQ. This can be interpreted both ways; extending a Java platform class
is a form of extending the platform.
We really need a clarification on this as soon as possible…
Update: See Java ME GPL Clarification by Terrence Barr, Sun Java Mobile & Embedded Evangelist
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