Quote:
Originally Posted by Worldwalker
Aside from the people who believe the FUD-slingers, nobody thinks that the GPL would apply to data files produced by a GPL-licensed program.
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And suppose someone claimed that the GPL did apply to a chunk of output by some strained GPL interpretation that the CSS, HTML or formatting was "code" covered under the GPL. Because the GPL only applies when the "code" is redistributed, all the user would have to do is reformat the content with their own formatting or remove the allegedly GPL code, (or get a license from the code copyright holder). AFAIK, there has never been a case where anyone has had to pay damages for past violation of the GPL, so simply removing the alleged GPL content would fix the problem.
Despite the FUD spread by some that the GPL is "viral," it does not attach to non-GPL content that is separable. I don't actually know the scenario that the OP had in mind, but for simple conversions of non-GPL content, there is simply no reason to have any concern. In the worst case of the one in a googol chance of a claim of GPL violation), they'd simply have to reformat or reconvert their non-GPL content using some other conversion method.
Again, this is so unlikely as to be beyond the realms of reasonable worry.