[AWS] Removing the GMGPL exception text from all source files

[Ludovic Brenta]

Ted Dennison writes:
> Ludovic Brenta wrote:
>> In order to reduce confusion in the minds of users of Debian, I have
>> removed the GMGPL exception text from all source files.  The patch is
>> attached.
>
> Doesn't that in effect change the terms under which people can use AWS?

No because anything downloaded from libre.adacore.com is GPL no matter
what.  The patch does not change the license; it only corrects how the
license terms are communicated to the user.

> One would think this means that from here on all users of AWS will have
> to release their programs under the GPL. 

No; users of AWS don't have to release their programs at all; they can
offer hosted services instead.  AWS is designed to do precisely that.

> No biggie for me, but I could picture some users who would have a major
> problem with that. It basically prevents AWS from being used in any
> closed-source program. That seems like a rather major loss of utility to
> take just for the sake of not confusing some users on a single platform.

Yes, the GPL prevents using AWS in proprietary programs.  No, I am not
changing the license; AdaCore did that back in september 2005.  No,
there is no loss of utility if you use AWS for hosted services.

-- 
Ludovic Brenta.