I want to use PovRay as a free 3D plugin renderer as a download from my site
when I release the app. What kind of things do I have to do legaly to
compile a DLL of POV-RAY? If I re-write the code to take pre-loaded memory
textures instead of loading from file (for compatability) and put it in a
DLL can I still lable it as POV-RAY as long as the copyright notices are
kept? Basically... what changes can I make before its not POV-RAY?

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JPulham wrote:
> I want to use PovRay as a free 3D plugin renderer as a download from my site
> when I release the app. What kind of things do I have to do legaly to
> compile a DLL of POV-RAY? If I re-write the code to take pre-loaded memory
> textures instead of loading from file (for compatability) and put it in a
> DLL can I still lable it as POV-RAY as long as the copyright notices are
> kept? Basically... what changes can I make before its not POV-RAY?

I have the impression you are confusing things here.  The use of the 
name POV-Ray for naming unofficial version of POV-Ray is not restricted 
(as long as the unofficial version is conforming with the license of 
course).

Furthermore the POV-Ray license is completely all right with 
modifications of POV-Ray that allow it to load data (like texture 
images) by other means than file IO as long as the basic functionality 
of official POV-Ray is maintained.

You however should carefully notice a few things:

1) whatever modifications you make to POV-Ray for creating an unofficial 
version will be covered by the POV-Ray license (i.e. have to be 
available for free including source etc.)

2) you may under no circumstances distribute modified versions of 
POV-Ray that are not fully functional (like a built of POV-Ray in form 
of a shared library) or include POV-Ray code in other programs.

3) if you bundle an official or unofficial version of POV-Ray with a 
non-free program you have to obtain permission from the POV-Team before 
(see POV-Ray license).

Note this is not an official legal advise, just my attempt to explain 
the license.

And finally this is the wrong group for this kind of question.

Christoph

-- 
POV-Ray tutorials, include files, Landscape of the week:
http://www.imagico.de/ (Last updated 14 Mar. 2006)
MegaPOV with mechanics simulation: http://megapov.inetart.net/

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JPulham wrote:
> I want to use PovRay as a free 3D plugin renderer as a download from my site
> when I release the app. What kind of things do I have to do legaly to
> compile a DLL of POV-RAY?

None! Turning POV-Ray into a libraray for others to load is prohibited by 
the license. Please read the license.

Further, this is the wrong group for this question. This group is for 
discussion of the POV-Ray source code, not licensing questions of POV-Ray. 
The license distributed with POV-Ray includes contact information for 
license inquires. However, you should read the license first, to avoid 
rejection if your request is already explicitly prohibited by the license.

	Thorsten

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