Does GPL apply to COM controlling apps?

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Arothen
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Does GPL apply to COM controlling apps?

Post by Arothen »

I am writing an interface which controls/automates OpenOffice over COM (Delphi, Windows 7).
Does this mean when I integrate my code into my client's system that he will have to put all of his code under GPL as well?
OpenOffice 4.1 on Windows 7
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acknak
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Re: Does GPL apply to COM controlling apps?

Post by acknak »

Greetings and welcome to the community forum!

There's an Apache email list for this sort of question; you should try there.

I would be completely surprised if the GPL applied in this situation, since a) the OO code is now under the Apache Public License, which has no "viral" provisions, and b) COM does not require you to use or distribute any code from OO at all (as I understand).
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B Marcelly
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Re: Does GPL apply to COM controlling apps?

Post by B Marcelly »

Suppose you use COM to control a Microsoft application (Internet Explorer, Word, Excel). Do you need any license from Microsoft ? No.
It's the same for any other application, including Apache OpenOffice. COM works as a client of the controlled application. You don't use the source files of the application, you don't change them. You only use interfaces provided by the application. Your program will work only if the end user has installed the controlled application (in this case, Apache OpenOffice or LibreOffice).

For more information if still in doubt:
Apache OpenOffice licenses
Apache OpenOffice developer mailing list (you have to subscribe first).
Bernard

OpenOffice.org 1.1.5 / Apache OpenOffice 4.1.1 / LibreOffice 5.0.5
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