MySQL Open Source License
<p>I plan to develop and sell a commercial, closed source application and I want to use MySQL to store data.<br><br>
 The application will be written in C++ and the MySQL server will be installed on end user's computer from official MySQL Website.<br><br></p>

<p>I also plan to use the MySQL Connector (which will be linked dynamically) on my application so it can store and retrieve data from the MySQL server.<br><br></p>

<p>The question is: can I use the Community version of MySQL which is under the GPL License, as long as I don't modify any of its code and the server is downloaded by the client, or do I still need the Commercial License?<br><br></p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>If you're linking in the MySQL libraries, well, that's linking as far as the GPL is concerned and you've created a derived work.  See <a href="https://softwareengineering.stackexchange.com/a/158792/47433">this question</a> for example.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>If you link to a GPL lib then you have created a derived work and your code must be GPL - this is different to LGPL code which specifically allows dynamic linking of differently licensed code. The system libraries including libc, are all LGPL.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Or <a href="https://softwareengineering.stackexchange.com/a/167781/47433">here</a> which quotes from the GPL FAQ</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Linking [name of your program] statically or dynamically with other modules is making a combined work based on [name of your program]. Thus, the terms and conditions of the GNU General Public License cover the whole combination</p>
</blockquote>

<p>In addition, see the Oracle <a href="http://www.mysql.com/about/legal/licensing/oem/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">MySQL licensing page</a>, where this very issue is discussed:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>A: Oracle makes its MySQL database server and MySQL Client Libraries available under both the GPL and a commercial license. As a result, developers who use or distribute open source applications under the GPL can use the GPL-licensed MySQL software, and OEMs, ISVs and VARs that do not want to combine or distribute the MySQL software with their own commercial software under a GPL license can purchase a commercial license.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>So if you can find a BSD-licensed MySQL driver library, you can use it, but if you're using the libraries that MySQL provides, you either have to pay Oracle, or GPL your code.</p>

open-source-software gpl