GPL v2 incompatibility with Android Support library

[relan]

Andor's Trail code is under the GNU GPL v2, but it uses android-support-v4 library, which is under Apache 2.0. Those licenses are incompatible: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html#apache2

GPL v3 is compatible with Apache 2.0. Please clarify whether GPL v2 in the readme means GPL v2 only or GPL v2 or later.

[Zukero]

It is v2 or later, as specified in the game's About->License screen.
Thanks for bringing this up, we'll clarify in other materials.

[sdevaney]

I am no lawyer and the following could be incorrect but doesn't that fall into the system library exception? Google themselves call it essential: 'Originally a single binary library for apps, the Android Support Library has evolved into a suite of libraries for app development. Many of these libraries are now a strongly recommended, if not essential, part of app development.'

Also generally speaking it is my understanding software created with the use of other software is not seen as a derivative work of that other software, and so the licence obligations don't transfer.

[Zukero]

@sdevaney I'd say this argument would work if the lib was simply included from a build script (like Gradle). However, we currently redistribute it by including the jar in our repo and in our APK ourselves. The issue is thus valid IMHO.

[sdevaney]

Ah I see; after doing more research that makes a lot of sense and I agree with your reasoning.

[relan]

Updated F-Droid metadata in https://gitlab.com/fdroid/fdroiddata/commit/37a0338e63daa818c3fb231c259d8b2908ec3949.

Thanks!