Hi,
I would like to ask legal advice and some parts of the GPL is not clear for me.
Let's suppose I'd like to create an Internet-facing dictionary application (yes, a yet another one). I'd like to import the initial data from a few sources, and convert it to my internal data structure. Some of them are public domain, so nothing interesting there, but e.g. Wiktionary is GPL-ed, which does impose a few questions for me. By the way: my internal data structure won't be wikitext. I'd like to enable my users to edit the content of my dictionary, I'd like to reuse that content as I see fit (including commercial services if I am ready to implement anything).
In this case, am I allowed to import Wiktionary as a data source? If yes, what other constraints do I have (e.g. on editing, publishing, using as part of the commercial service)? I have a few options here:
1. Importing and merging with the other sources.
2. Importing, not merging, but separately branching with the other sources, treating the services and the user interface slightly differently for the different databases (e.g. stating where it is GPL and where it is our internal data with different use conditions).
3. Importing, not merging, not modifying. Using Wiktionary as a read-only database, e.g. when the user searches my dictionary I can provide results from my database and on the same page at the bottom from the Wiktionary.
In what scenario do I need to re-publish my internal data structures (either in wikitext or anything else)? I suppose #3 is a safe option for me, but what other considerations do I have?
Thank you for the help! Best regards, Istvan