[Freegis-list] gpl license for mdb?

[Andrea Schukraft]

Hello list

At the moment I am working on a Microsoft Access Database that is inteded to
store metadata for all kinds of geographic data (digital, paper, tables,
...). The target group are small planning offices that don't want to store
their metadata in textfiles any more.

The product will be a *.mdb file with tables, queries, guis(forms) and vba
code.
What I want is to distribute the product and enable everybody to use it for
their needs, make changes, copy and redistribute it. So, I would like to
distribute it under the terms of the GPL.
Is this possible?

Some more detailed questions:
1. GPL paragraph 2a):
  "You must cause the modified files to carry prominent notices
  stating that you changed the files and the date of any change."

  Is it sufficient to provide a table where the history is
  stored (e.g. date of change, changed by, description, ...)
  Or do I need to set up a cvs versioning (which isn't very
  handy for binary mdb files.

2. GPL paragraph 2:
  "These requirements apply to the modified work as a whole.  If
  identifiable sections of that work are not derived from the Program,
  and can be reasonably considered independent and separate works in
  themselves, then this License, and its terms, do not apply to those
  sections when you distribute them as separate works."

  Is an *.mdb file an "independent and separate work" and therefore
  can be distributed under the terms of the GPL?
  To use it, i have to use MS Access. So it isn't independent and
  separate, is it?

3. GPL paragraph 3a):
  "Accompany it [the Program] with the complete corresponding
  machine-readable source code"

  What is the source code? Is it the *.mdb file? Because,
  everybody who has this file (and an MS Access licence), can
  read and change it. It can be copied and distributed.
  GPL: "The source code for a work means the preferred form
  of the work for making modifications to it."

Thanks for comments
Andrea