Can I use R via RDOTNET without having to provide the source code of my application

Question

Can I use R via RDOTNET without having to provide the source code of my application.

R is covered under GNU GPLv3.

RDOTNET is under New BSD.

From the RDOTNET description:

"R.NET enables the .NET Framework to interoperate with the R statistical language in the same process. R.NET works on Windows, Linux and MacOS."

I use R via RDOTNET in my application. I run a few commands get the output and display it to the user. I am not modifying the R code in any way.

Does my application have to be distributed under GPLv3?

What

1) if the user installs R themselves, in which case we only distribute R.NET

2) if we provide the R files as part of our distribution

If I do have to provide the source for my entire application in either case. Can I wrap the calls to R in a library and open source just that library and use that library in my program?

Answer 1

It depends on whether or not you're creating a derived work and triggering the copyleft provision.

In general, for your program to not trigger copyleft, it must either be a separate work, or not be distributed. To qualify as a separate work, it must:

1. Communicate with the GPL'd software at arms length, and
2. Not be dependent on the GPL'd software for all or a substantial portion of its proper functioning.

Here comes the important part.

Communicating with the GPL'd software through a third-party interface doesn't change the nature of the relationship between the two programs. In particular, communicating through a third-party interface doesn't automatically confer arms-length communication, nor does it change the essential relationship between the program and its GPL'd component, in terms of its proper functioning.