Esri's file geodatabase API can now be used with GDAL/OGR - http://www.gdal.org/ogr/drv_filegdb.html however each individual seems to have to login to Esri and download the API files individually. For example this is referenced in a blog post here and in the GDAL build notes.
The license agreement before downloading the API shown by Esri is at: http://resources.arcgis.com/node/agreement/3193
Clause 47 states:
- Licensee may develop and distribute software or web applications that use the Esri File Geodatabase API to Licensee's end users.
The best discussion about the license is at Paul Ramsey's blog post from January 2011. This finishes with a final update that:
Update 4: Received email from Esri confirming that the final license will be reviewed to ensure there are no ambiguities and that it reflects their intent that the API be usable by any application in any application category and the derived product freely redistributable and royalty free. So to the extent that the current license has any ambiguity it shouldn't be considered a red flag that the final one will.
So has or when will the Esri API be available as part of GDAL downloads or installations, and when can we distribute application which include the API?
Answer
Having written the FileGDB GDAL driver, I am glad you like it :)
The answer is that yes, it can be distributed. In fact, the OSGeo4W distribution already includes it.
I got the confirmation that the OSGeo4W was an approved usage through a personal e-mail exchange I had with ESRI.
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