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Hi, my question has largley been answered here:
viewtopic.php?f=262&t=426866
(Title: Extensions marked as GPL but do not include Flash source)

as it is similar to flash, but I have some follow up questions.

My extension is commercial GPL, I want to put a java uploader into it. I have no problem redistributing the souce code, but the java uploader I want to use will only sell me a developer license that lets me redistribute the binary, but not the source.

My understanding is having a non open source java file is not a voilation of the GPL by anybodys interpretation, as it is run by the browser, and only sends requests to index.php (it doesn't even know Joomla is on the end of index.php).

The problem is if I advertise my extension as GPL, and have the java binary in there, I have to provide the souce code. Does this mean I have to have the extension under the GPL without the java binary, then have a seperate "patch" downloadable from my website, that is not under the GPL, that adds in the binary file. Is there a simplier way to do this?

Not looking at the code so I'm not able to say specifically what applies in your case, but you should be honest with your customers and clearly state that there are some parts of it that are not gpl and be 100% up front about what the licenses for those are and what they mean. It's really a truth in advertising issue.

I think its more about just being upfront, there is an argument that says if I say my extension is licensed under the GPL, and someone downloads the com_mycomponent.zip, they have the legal right to ask for the source code in everything in the com_mycomponent.zip.

I'm not sure if saying "The java part is not under the GPL" on my site is legit. I mean, someone said "I agree to the GPL license for this extension", and then downloaded a file, then are told some of it is encrypted and they can't have the source code.

I very highly doubt I would end up in court, but when running my business I like to do legal things by the book, rather than assume a legal situation will never come up.

It may be the case this question is beyond the scope of what can be answered here, and is one of those "seek legal advice" questions. It does seem like something that will come up often though, and there doesn't seem to be any clear guidelines anywhere, perhaps I should give the Free Software Foundation a nudge?

People do not need to agree to the GPL license. They simply have to abide by it.

A I said, I think if you simply tell your users upfront and include accurate information in your license files you are fine. People who want pure GPL will then know not to user your extension. But of course you should get advice about your situation from your lawyer if you are uncertain.

I'm guesing if it's ok to release the java bit as non-gpl its also ok to release my javascript file as non-gpl too. Both don't interact with Joomla in any way apart from being run by the browser and sending requests to index.php.

If thats the case thats great, as I have always been a bit of a fence sitter about GPL commercial. I'm all for things being non-encrypted and having some degree of code sharing, but requiring commercial developers to legally give permission for others to redistribute their stuff as is, or make a few modifications and put it on the JED as something else, always seemed a bit unbalanced in the direction of open source. (Lets not start another discussion, just my 2c).

If I can keep my java/javascript/css files with my own license, and my php files as a GPL license, then at least it means if someone wants to redistribute my work, they have to redo these bits themselves.

Can an extension be listed as "GPL" on the JED if only the php files are GPL (in my case I have about 50 PHP files, 1 javascript, 2 java and 4 CSS files).

I'm not planning any encryption/ call back/ 1 site one license stuff. The files will be licensed so licensees can use and modify them freely for their own use, but not redistribute them.

Yes, as has been clearly stated numerous times javascript, flash and css do not need to be GPL to comply with the license for Joomla since they are just data to Joomla.