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Finally, software patents pose a constant threat to the existence of any free program. We
wish to make sure that a company cannot effectively restrict the users of a free program
by obtaining a restrictive license from a patent holder. Therefore, we insist that any
patent license obtained for a version of the library must be consistent with the full
freedom of use specified in this license.
Most GNU software, including some libraries, is covered by the ordinary GNU General
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When a program is linked with a library, whether statically or using a shared library, the
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We call this license the "Lesser" General Public License because it does Less to protect
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Although the Lesser General Public License is Less protective of the users' freedom, it
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General Notes
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