Interesting development going on currently surrounding MySql every ones favorite sql 92 / ACID incompliant database.
MySql AB has recently transfered the license of MySql from LPGL to PGL.
For those not so well informed in what the
difference is:
"using the Library GPL permits use of the library in proprietary programs; using the ordinary GPL for a library makes it available only for free programs."
And offcourse GPL code may not be used in anything which isn't licensed with a GPL compatible license.
MySql is offcourse dually licensed Commercial + GPL so if you want to use it for anything commercial then you have have to pay up, unless your making use of the
web loophole:
"At present, companies that distribute GPL-licensed software must make the source code publicly available, including any modifications they've made. Though the rule covers many businesses that use GPL-licensed software for commercial ends, it doesn't cover Web companies that use such software to offer their services through the Web, as they're not actually distributing the software."
Ok, so the whole thing became a lot less .Net friendly :P
Now there is a new development on the MySql horizon:
Oracle buys INNO DB
Which looks like a very tactical move by Oracle to crush MySql...
MySql 5 which just went into release candidate mode, might have looked a bit too much like a "real database".
All things said be very aware of where MySql is going... and if you have alternatives for a new project I suggest you have a good look at them.
Things might get ugly around MySql soon.