[Linux-aus] Meaning of object code/binary format/executable format in GPL/BSD style licenses

[Benno]

On Wed Sep 20, 2006 at 16:58:05 +1000, Silvia Pfeiffer wrote:
>I think it is a different representation of the original code and
>probably not covered by the GPL.
>
>Say, your code is licensed under the GPL and written in C. Then
>somebody ports that to python. What license would you expect to have
>to represent it under? Is there something in the GPL that covers this
>situation? I don't know, but my gut feeling no. But IANL either. :)

Mmm good question. Also I don't know if it makes a difference if it is
a person, or a machine. E.g: If I have a program that converts C ->
Python would that make a difference?

It seems dangerous, lets define a language C', which is like C but a
little different, then have a program that automatically changes C ->
C', can I now get the whole corpus for free? I doubt it.

Cheers,

Benno