1.4.3.2 Using the MySQL Software for Free Under GPL

You can use the MySQL software for free under the GPL if you adhere to the conditions of the GPL. For additional details, including answers to common questions about the GPL, see the generic FAQ from the Free Software Foundation at http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html. Common uses of the GPL include:

• When you distribute both your own application and the MySQL source code under the GPL with your product.
• When you distribute the MySQL source code bundled with other programs that are not linked to or dependent on the MySQL system for their functionality even if you sell the distribution commercially. This is called mere aggregation in the GPL license.
• When you are not distributing any part of the MySQL system, you can use it for free.
• When you are an Internet Service Provider (ISP), offering web hosting with MySQL servers for your customers. We encourage people to use ISPs that have MySQL support, as this will give them the confidence that their ISP will, in fact, have the resources to solve any problems they may experience with the MySQL installation. Even if an ISP does not have a commercial license for MySQL Server, their customers should at least be given read access to the source of the MySQL installation so that the customers can verify that it is correctly patched.
• When you use the MySQL database software in conjunction with a web server, you do not need a commercial license (so long as it is not a product you distribute). This is true even if you run a commercial web server that uses MySQL Server, because you are not distributing any part of the MySQL system. However, in this case we would like you to purchase MySQL support because the MySQL software is helping your enterprise.

If your use of MySQL database software does not require a commercial license, we encourage you to purchase support from MySQL AB anyway. This way you contribute toward MySQL development and also gain immediate advantages for yourself. See section 1.4.1 Support Offered by MySQL AB.

If you use the MySQL database software in a commercial context such that you profit by its use, we ask that you further the development of the MySQL software by purchasing some level of support. We feel that if the MySQL database helps your business, it is reasonable to ask that you help MySQL AB. (Otherwise, if you ask us support questions, you are not only using for free something into which we've put a lot a work, you're asking us to provide free support, too.)

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