So who is breaking the MySQL license?
 

According to the MySQL license, if you distribture an application (doesn't mean sell for profit..just distribute) that uses MySQL then you product must be open source or you must buy the commercial license.

I highly doubt all toplist, tgp, etc.. apps out there have bought the commercial license.

I bought it for a mainstream app I distribute - no issues with them

But I bet a lot of the freely distributed apps that are used in adult often and don't release their code haven't bought the commercial version.

Just a wild bet, but a bet I would take.

It's only if you distribute the MySQL code that you need a license. Distributing software that may use it isn't breaking the license as long as who you give it to obtains MySQL on their own.

The common problem with this is many programs use APIs or are linked with MySQL which means there's a part of it in your code. This is why you should program with a layered driver and allow your customers to choose their database of choice. Then it's not your problem what the datasource is.

This is what I thought, too. But not correct.

If you have an application that needs to use, can choose to use MySQL (say in your setup you ask to use MySQL), or distribute mySQL with the installation of your application then you need to make your code open source under GPL or own the commercial license.

http://www.mysql.com/company/legal/licensing/

Pretty straight forward.

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