Formal confirmation: LGPL-only Exiv2 build by disabling GPL modules

[rohit220594]

We are using Exiv2 in a proprietary/commercial project and would like formal confirmation that it can be used under the LGPL license when built without GPL components (e.g., XMP). The official license page mentions this is possible, but we need explicit clarification from the maintainers for internal compliance.

This refers to a custom build of Exiv2 version 0.27.6 from the 0.27-maintenance branch, with the following CMake flags set to OFF:

EXIV2_ENABLE_XMP
EXIV2_ENABLE_EXTERNAL_XMP
EXIV2_ENABLE_VIDEO
EXIV2_ENABLE_WEBREADY
We would appreciate confirmation on whether this configuration results in an LGPL-2.1-only build.

[clanmills]

Team Exiv2 are engineers and unable to give legal advice.

[rohit220594]

Thank you for your response — completely understand that you're unable to provide legal advice.
To help us document technical compliance internally, could you please confirm the following from a technical perspective:

Q1. If we build Exiv2 version 0.27.6 from the 0.27-maintenance branch with the following CMake flags:
EXIV2_ENABLE_XMP = OFF
EXIV2_ENABLE_EXTERNAL_XMP = OFF
EXIV2_ENABLE_VIDEO = OFF
EXIV2_ENABLE_WEBREADY = OFF
— then no GPL code is compiled into the final shared library (libexiv2.so), and the resulting build contains only LGPL-2.1 licensed code.

Q2. Is Exiv2 v0.27.x operates under a dual-licensing scheme, utilizing both the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) and the GNU General Public License (GPL).
Core Exiv2 Functionality (LGPL-2.1-only): The fundamental components and features of Exiv2 are licensed under LGPL-2.1-only.

Is this statement true and if can I have any specific documentation to support this statement.

Q3. As the Exiv2 engineers have stated that they are unable to provide legal advice, clarification is requested on whether there is any individual within the Exiv2 project — such as a general manager, lead maintainer, or affiliated legal contact — who is authorized to offer formal guidance or an official interpretation of the project's licensing for such a build?

Thank you again for your help!

[rohit220594]

Will be highly appreciated if anyone can confirm :

Is Exiv2 v0.27.x operates under a dual-licensing scheme, utilizing both the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) and the GNU General Public License (GPL).
Core Exiv2 Functionality (LGPL-2.1-only): The fundamental components and features of Exiv2 are licensed under LGPL-2.1-only.