David Given wrote:
While the GPL doesn't restrict what data a program *uses*, it *does*
restrict your ability to redistribute that data. Lua bytecode is code
--- it's a compiled program. Therefore, if the source that made it is
GPLd, and you're not the original author, then you must provide a means
to get the source if you want to redistribute it.
Actually, that is incorrect. That would imply that all programs compiled
with gcc are GPL'ed. One can GPL a virtual machine & compiler but
distribute the code they produce under any license provided the compiled
byte/native code does not contain significant portions of GPL'd product.
Simply put - even if Lua was GPL-licensed (which it is not, it is simply
GPL-compatible), the byte code it produces can be released under any
license the author chooses. The simple fact that there are
hundreds-to-thousands of non-GPL applications compiled by gcc and
distributed as binaries are proof of that.