A very clean-cut Q&A about using MySQL for your apps

Thankfully, I found one very good post with a clearly rounded whole question and solid answer from someone at MySQL AB:

http://forums.mysql.com/read.php?4,30183,45753#msg...

In Summary:

Question: "Our plan is create an application that will just connect to MySQL Server running on a different machine using Database Connections like MyODBC 3.5 [... do I need] to buy a License from you (MySQL AB) for using MySQL Server?"

Answer:  "A good option for you may be becoming a MySQL Certified partner, at the basic level this is just USD 595/yr. See [solutions.mysql.com] for details.
Under the partnership, you can get an optional (but free) non-GPL license for any of the MySQL client libraries, for distribution linked with your closed source product."

Case closed.

-Matt

Posted by MattL on Sunday, September 17, 2006 at 5:37 PM
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Categories:   Development
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Comments

September 18, 2006 03:25 PM

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Berislav Lopac
Berislav Lopac

Nonsense. They didn't answer the question -- they stated what would one option be, of course stating one that would benefit them.

Berislav Lopac

September 18, 2006 06:28 PM

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MattL
MattL

Alright, then... you call MySQL AB and ask, then post it here.

-Matt

MattL

September 19, 2006 08:34 AM

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Doug Luxem
Doug Luxem

I'm not sure what is so confusing here. The client libraries (MySQL ODBC/.NET/JDBC) are all released under the GPL (not the LGPL). That means if you distribute the connectors in or with your code, your own license will need to be compatible with the GPL.

As for the other option, you can probably purchase a commercial license of these connectors (or MySQL Network) and get a commercial license. But that option isn't any cheaper.

More info on the MySQL interpretation of the GPL and their commercial license is available at:
www.mysql.com/.../commercial-license.html
Note how broad their definition of "distribution" is.

PS Nice blog you have here Matt. ;)

Doug Luxem

September 20, 2006 07:18 AM

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MattL
MattL

Thanks, Doug -- Good to see you around!

-Matt

MattL

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