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Does the AGPL license allows not disclosing the source of third party scripts (in)directly interacting with the main software? (lemmybefree.net)

submitted 3 months ago by Electricd@lemmybefree.net to c/programming@programming.dev

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cross-posted from: https://lemmybefree.net/post/1201042

Let's say I use some AGPL software like Mastodon or Gitea. If I write a script to interact with some elements, like a nodejs script that interacts with the messages posted to act as an antispam, is it considered derivative work?

If I use a custom theme, does it have to be AGPL? If I add an overlay over the interface or interact with Mastodon through JS, does it have to be AGPL?

For Gitea, if I make a script to scrap some visual elements and send it by email to some people, does it have to be AGPL?

For an email software like Mailcow, if I write an antispam script that communicates with Mailcow's API, does it have to be AGPL?

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[–] 0xDREADBEEF@programming.dev 3 points 3 months ago (9 children)

Using an API isn't distributing

[–] Electricd@lemmybefree.net 1 points 3 months ago (8 children)

If I create a script that interacts with the API it’s not considered a part of the software then?

[–] 0xDREADBEEF@programming.dev 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Writing javascript (or any programming language, but sticking with 'script' here) to consume an http api from an agpl service (such as lemmy or mastodon) does not force you to open source whatever client you have.

Consuming an agpl client library (maybe mastodon or lemmy provide an sdk I dunno, or some third party one) and you embed it in your app and interact with that agpl code, then yes you must open your code up.

For example, there are closed source Mastodon clients that make a lot of money. Look at the mastodon client from tapbots. The owners of mastodon have a winning case if they sued them, if your logic held up. Tapbots can safely create an entire application and consume the mastodon api without worry, why can't you and your script?

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