The VideoLAN Forums

Hi,

I noticed that some parts of VLC are now licensed under LGPL:
http://www.videolan.org/press/lgpl-libvlc.html

I also noticed that the bottom of this page says that it's unclear whether
this change allows VLC to be available on App Store. I'd like to ask a very
simple question:

Are there *any* undisputed way of publishing an iOS application that links
against VLC? Meaning, if I were willing to license my application under GPL
(release its source-code and everything else) would I have anything to worry
about?

Can someone please spell out the legal standing of VLC under iOS as of 2012?
I'm looking for one of: allowed, not allowed, unknown for each line. If
you're feeling especially generous you can elaborate with the reasons

1. LGPL VLC + closed-source application
2. LGPL VLC + LGPL application
3. GPL VLC + GPL application

In the case of #1 and #2, you can assume that I will be static linking
against VLC and releasing all necessary object files for relinking. In the
case of #3 you can assume I will release the source-code to my application.

Thank you,
Gili

The problem is that most modules are still GPL (this is changing but not yet done).

On iOS, you must statically link everything, therefore you are GPL.

Hi Jean-Baptiste,

I don't have a problem with following the basic principals of GPL or LGPL (releasing the source-code of my application or its object-files, respectively). The question is whether this is enough. It was my understanding that VLC was withdrawn from the App Store because of the developer account fee, not because of the actual application that linked against it.

Please clarify.

Thanks,
Gili

The problem is that most modules are still GPL (this is changing but not yet done).

On iOS, you must statically link everything, therefore you are GPL.

So far, I think GPL applications are not OK with the AppStore. I have asked Apple Legal to clarify.

Hi Jean-Baptiste,

I'm confused. Last I read, VLC was pulled from the app store at the request of Rémi Denis-Courmont for reasons that had nothing to do with the actual application it was linked to. It is my understanding that the complaint was against the App Store, not anything that the application author did wrong; furthermore, the application was removed at VLC's request, not Apple's.

My question is this: if someone decides to publish an application that statically links against the LGPL-only portions of VLC and releases all object-code necessary to relink the application, will VLC request Apple to remove it again or has something changed?

Thanks,
Gili

So far, I think GPL applications are not OK with the AppStore. I have asked Apple Legal to clarify.

I'm confused. Last I read, VLC was pulled from the app store at the request of Rémi Denis-Courmont for reasons that had nothing to do with the actual application it was linked to. It is my understanding that the complaint was against the App Store, not anything that the application author did wrong; furthermore, the application was removed at VLC's request, not Apple's.

This is not correct.

My question is this: if someone decides to publish an application that statically links against the LGPL-only portions of VLC and releases all object-code necessary to relink the application, will VLC request Apple to remove it again or has something changed?

First, VLC does not exist as a moral entity, so VLC will not request anything.
Then, LGPL seems AppStore compatible to me.