From: Timur Tabi <ttabi@interactivesi.com>
To: Alan Cox <alan@lxorguk.ukuu.org.uk>
Cc: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org
Subject: Re: Module Licensing?
Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2001 10:53:40 -0600 [thread overview]
Message-ID: <3BE02C94.4020007@interactivesi.com> (raw)
In-Reply-To: <E15yjCb-0001q7-00@the-village.bc.nu>
Alan Cox wrote:
>>Ah, but what happens if I distribute the source code, the closed-source .o
>>files, and a makefile, and tell people that they should link it? Am I
>>violating the GPL, or is the end-user?
>>
>
> I am told by legal people you are, because you provided the code soley with
> the intent that it was used that way. Whether an imaginative lawyer can
> also get you locked away under the DMCA for distributing a device for
> violating copyright I dont know 8)
But the GPL only covers distribution, not use. Just because I distribute GPL
source code, doesn't mean that it actually has to work or do something. The
open source portions of the driver conform to the GPL, because they #include
kernel header files and, in some case, cut-and-paste from the kernel source
itself. The closed source portions do not #include any kernel header files or
use any source code from anyone else.
The fact that the open source portions and the closed source portions can't
function on their own is irrelevant, IMHO.
Please show me where in the GPL text it says that the act of compiling a
module and loading it into memory is subject to the GPL.
> If you wanted to provide a mixed source/binary driver that wasnt derivative
> of the kernel (and there are lots of reasons for it) - don't GPL your
> open source bit use something like MPL or BSD
Our open source bits are GPL because they are "derived" from the kernel
source, which is also GPL.
FYI, I don't consider including a header file basis for calling the module
"derived" from that header file, but that's just my personal opinion and
doesn't really affect this discussion.
next prev parent reply other threads:[~2001-10-31 16:54 UTC|newest]
Thread overview: 46+ messages / expand[flat|nested] mbox.gz Atom feed top
2001-10-30 3:46 Module Licensing? Kevin D. Wooten
2001-10-30 4:08 ` Ben Greear
2001-10-30 4:58 ` TimO
2001-10-30 5:10 ` Ben Greear
2001-10-30 7:24 ` Kevin D. Wooten
2001-10-30 17:27 ` Timur Tabi
2001-10-30 23:10 ` Alan Cox
2001-10-31 0:13 ` Timur Tabi
2001-10-31 0:25 ` Alan Cox
2001-10-31 16:53 ` Timur Tabi [this message]
2001-10-31 17:10 ` Rik van Riel
2001-10-31 17:22 ` Larry McVoy
2001-10-31 17:27 ` Rik van Riel
2001-10-31 18:34 ` Larry McVoy
2001-10-31 18:44 ` Rik van Riel
2001-10-31 18:53 ` Andreas Dilger
2001-10-31 20:08 ` Craig Milo Rogers
2001-10-31 17:32 ` dean gaudet
2001-10-31 19:55 ` [OT] " Craig Milo Rogers
2001-10-31 21:42 ` Cort Dougan
2001-10-31 23:47 ` Jamie Lokier
2001-10-31 23:54 ` Larry McVoy
2001-11-01 0:10 ` Jamie Lokier
2001-11-01 0:43 ` Alan Cox
2001-11-01 23:52 ` n0ano
2001-10-31 17:29 ` Timur Tabi
2001-10-31 17:37 ` Rik van Riel
2001-10-31 18:31 ` LLX
2001-11-08 0:36 ` drizzt.dourden
2001-11-08 12:41 ` Alan Cox
2001-11-08 13:19 ` Drizzt Do'Urden
2001-11-08 14:53 ` Module Licensing? (thinking a little more) Drizzt Do'Urden
2001-11-08 15:56 ` Doug McNaught
2001-11-08 17:00 ` Drizzt Do'Urden
2001-11-08 17:18 ` Russell King
2001-11-08 17:47 ` Drizzt Do'Urden
2001-11-09 7:50 ` Stefan Smietanowski
2001-11-10 18:09 ` QuoteMstr - Danny Colascione
2001-11-08 17:29 ` Doug McNaught
2001-11-08 19:28 ` drizzt.dourden
2001-10-31 20:15 ` Module Licensing? Craig Milo Rogers
2001-10-31 19:49 ` Craig Milo Rogers
2001-11-04 3:37 ` Albert D. Cahalan
2001-10-31 17:11 ` Alan Cox
2001-11-05 4:40 ` [file interface] " Roger Larsson
2001-10-30 9:22 ` Alan Cox
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