Can libraries licensed with GPLv2 be used in proprietary applications? [closed]

Question

I'm interested in included LZO compression into a currently closed source application. Currently LZO is licensed with GPLv2, but i'm confused as to if I need to also open source my application if I use their libraries. I'm not changing their library in any way.

Answer 1

Two points.

1. Linking against a GPL'ed library will make your program a 'derived work' and you will be required to license it under the GPL. Details here. The LGPL is basically the GPL with a clause that allows linking with closed source applications.
2. Algorithms (LZO compression in this case) cannot be copyrighted or licensed under the GPL. Concrete implementations are and so perhaps you can find an implementation of the algorithm in question that you can link with a proprietary application (eg. one licensed under the MIT license).