Re: [PATCH] USB: mark USB drivers as being GPL only

David Newall
2008-02-07T13:45:31Z

Marcel Holtmann wrote:
>>> if a new drivers is originally written for Linux, then you are breaking
>>> the GPL.
>>>
>> Completely wrong. However if the driver is distributed as built-in, then it
>> would need to be licensed under GPL. This means that a driver can be
>> written and distributed as a module under any licence, proprietary or
>> otherwise, presumably with the restriction that it may NOT be built-in.
>>
>
> how to do you wanna write a new original Linux driver (modular or
> built-in) without creating derivative work.
>From what does it derive? Given a new, original work, created from
scratch, could you point to another work, better yet show lines of code
in common?

>>> You driver was meant to be
>>> running as Linux kernel module and thus it is derivative work.
>>>
>> It is precisely the fact that it is a loadable module, and does not form
>> part of the kernel, that removes the requirement to distribute it under GPL.
>>
>
> That is such a nonsense. Stop distributing FUD and start talking to a
> lawyer. You are clearly under some weird impression what the GPL means
> and what it implies.
>

It's nonsense, it's a reasonable reading of the GPL. What I am doing is
telling you what the GPL says, not what you wish it said.

> If the developers say that this symbol can only be used in GPL code (and
> with EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL it is quite clear) then you have to obey to that
> license or don't use this symbol at all.
>
EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL is not a licence. Only a licence is a licence.

> If you use that symbol inside non-GPL (meaning you link at runtime) then
> you are in violation of the GPL license. We can't make it much clearer.
>
Your desire is clear, but the facts are bound to disappoint you.