Automatic module license checking

Automatic module license checking

[Vladimir 'φ-coder/phcoder' Serbinenko]

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Hello, all. Due to recent case of non-compliance with GPL in a project
using GRUB2 codebase and according to new GNU guidelines I've
implemented an automatic module license checking. This checks doesn't
change in nothing the distributor obligation: any GRUB2 module is
covered by GPLv3(+) (and optionally dual-licensed under another
license). However, this change makes this compliance requirement
explicit by requiring author to put a GRUB_MOD_LICENSE macro. Also note
that everybody is allowed to remove the said check but doing so doesn't
free from legal GPL obligation. When implementing this check I've added
a bunch of GRUB_MOD_LICENSE and GRUB_MOD_DUAL_LICENSE, I'll be grateful
if everyone who sees a problem (e.g. non-correspondance between license
header and macro) would report it to me and I'll fix it as soon as time
permits.

-- 
Regards
Vladimir 'φ-coder/phcoder' Serbinenko



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Re: Automatic module license checking

[richardvoigt]

When does this check run?  Seems ridiculous to do this on every boot
cycle, a bootloader should execute as quickly as possible, not try to
solve the world's legal problems.

Just my $0.02

2011/4/11 Vladimir 'φ-coder/phcoder' Serbinenko <phcoder@gmail.com>:
> Hello, all. Due to recent case of non-compliance with GPL in a project
> using GRUB2 codebase and according to new GNU guidelines I've
> implemented an automatic module license checking. This checks doesn't
> change in nothing the distributor obligation: any GRUB2 module is
> covered by GPLv3(+) (and optionally dual-licensed under another
> license). However, this change makes this compliance requirement
> explicit by requiring author to put a GRUB_MOD_LICENSE macro. Also note
> that everybody is allowed to remove the said check but doing so doesn't
> free from legal GPL obligation. When implementing this check I've added
> a bunch of GRUB_MOD_LICENSE and GRUB_MOD_DUAL_LICENSE, I'll be grateful
> if everyone who sees a problem (e.g. non-correspondance between license
> header and macro) would report it to me and I'll fix it as soon as time
> permits.
>
> --
> Regards
> Vladimir 'φ-coder/phcoder' Serbinenko
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Grub-devel mailing list
> Grub-devel@gnu.org
> http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/grub-devel
>
>

Re: Automatic module license checking

[Vladimir 'φ-coder/phcoder' Serbinenko]

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On 12.04.2011 06:33, richardvoigt@gmail.com wrote:
> When does this check run?  Seems ridiculous to do this on every boot
> cycle, a bootloader should execute as quickly as possible, not try to
> solve the world's legal problems.
>
Check is done when loading module. Performance penalty is limited to
reading few additional bytes, additional section search and 3 strcmp's.
It's much simpler than resolving even a single symbol.
> Just my $0.02
>
> 2011/4/11 Vladimir 'φ-coder/phcoder' Serbinenko <phcoder@gmail.com>:
>> Hello, all. Due to recent case of non-compliance with GPL in a project
>> using GRUB2 codebase and according to new GNU guidelines I've
>> implemented an automatic module license checking. This checks doesn't
>> change in nothing the distributor obligation: any GRUB2 module is
>> covered by GPLv3(+) (and optionally dual-licensed under another
>> license). However, this change makes this compliance requirement
>> explicit by requiring author to put a GRUB_MOD_LICENSE macro. Also note
>> that everybody is allowed to remove the said check but doing so doesn't
>> free from legal GPL obligation. When implementing this check I've added
>> a bunch of GRUB_MOD_LICENSE and GRUB_MOD_DUAL_LICENSE, I'll be grateful
>> if everyone who sees a problem (e.g. non-correspondance between license
>> header and macro) would report it to me and I'll fix it as soon as time
>> permits.
>>
>> --
>> Regards
>> Vladimir 'φ-coder/phcoder' Serbinenko
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Grub-devel mailing list
>> Grub-devel@gnu.org
>> http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/grub-devel
>>
>>


-- 
Regards
Vladimir 'φ-coder/phcoder' Serbinenko



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