License and VLCKit (Source)

[DesertNomad]

I'd like to use VLCKit in a Mac Cocoa app so that I can read data from video files (codec, resolution, length etc).

As this framework would be linked to my main app, I am a bit unsure of the license requirements. I have no issue making the VLCKit source available on our server... after all, I will have gotten it from here for free.

But I can't make our entire app's source available as there are other libraries we would license from other parties that are not source-distributable.

Is this ok?

The VLCKit represents a small part of the main app, so I am not really distributing a "modified version"... the VLCKit itself would remain unmodified.

I don't see such use mentioned here:

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html

[aborel]

But I can't make our entire app's source available as there are other libraries we would license from other parties that are not source-distributable.

Is this ok?

The VLCKit represents a small part of the main app, so I am not really distributing a "modified version"... the VLCKit itself would remain unmodified.

If VLCKit is licensed under the GPL2, as VLC normally is, you can't distribute your software has described. It doesn't matter that VLCKit be modified or not, your entire project would be considered a derivative work and thus would have to be licensed under the GPL2 as well.

[DesertNomad]

I kinda figured this and think I have a solution.

Can I crate a VLC framework/library/plug-in for my main app and offer both object and source for the framework, but not the main app?

The app would be distributed without the VLC component (and would work fine using QuickTime-based code). Users could separately download and install the VLC component into my app which would then have expanded functionality.

I'd make the VLC object and source available on my site as a separate download from the main app.

I think after reading the terms, that this would comply.

Thoughts?

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

Hmm, if your application works without VLC, then one might that it isn't a derived work of VLC.

[ajmas]

The VLC application is specified as using GPLv2, though for clarification, can some state what license is being specified for libVLC and VLCKit?

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

The VLC application is specified as using GPLv2, though for clarification, can some state what license is being specified for libVLC and VLCKit?

Now, the same.