[PyQt] A nasty licencing question

[Phil Thompson]

On 29 Jul 2018, at 9:23 pm, Sampsa Riikonen <sampsa.riikonen at iki.fi> wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I have an "advanced" question about the PyQt license. 
> 
> 1) There's a programming library with a python interface, let's call it
> "LIB"
> 
> 2) LIB can be combined with PyQt to make graphical user interfaces
> 
> 3) Small sample programs ("snippets") are provided publicly for LIB's
> API users, so that they learn how to use PyQt with LIB
> 
> 4) The snippets are MIT licensed, i.e. "free game" for developers (with
> no obligations)
> 
> 5) The idea is, that developers can base their own programs on the
> "snippets" .. However, for the programs they build, they must cope
> themselves with the PyQt license (either choose GPL or commercial)
> 
> 
> The questions is:
> 
> Is this logic flawed?  Can the snippets be MIT licensed at all.. or must
> they follow the PyQt licensing scheme, i.e. either GPL or commercial.
> 
> In the latter case, can the snippets be MIT licensed?

It's an issue of license compatibility. You should use a license for your own code that is compatibile with your potential user's PyQt license (either commercial or GPL). The MIT license meets that requirement.

Phil