Re: Using GPL'd Linux drivers with non-GPL, binary-only kernel

[Pavel Machek <pavel@ucw.cz>]

Hi!

> > > I'd get to define "the OS" so that is not a problem :) You could
> > 
> > The GPL is smarter than that
> > "However, as a special exception, the source code distributed need not
> > include anything that is normally distributed (in either source or
> > binary form) with the major components (compiler, kernel, and so on) of
> > the operating system on which the executable runs, unless that component
> > itself accompanies the executable."
> 
> I am talking about replacing the kernel (and compiler as it
> happens)... those _are_ the major components of the operating system
> which fall under that exception.  So, if we were splitting hairs over
> the wording, it would come down to whether the other major components
> "accompany the executable", where the executable is the GPL module.
> 
> This is further complicated because those GPL modules need not be
> distributed in binary form anyway, they could be compiled at run time
> from source, so there is no executable to speak of.  More corner case
> fun :)

If you are compiling them from source, and interface between the
module and the kernel is well defined (== "userspace") I guess you are
okay.
								Pavel
-- 
When do you have a heart between your knees?
[Johanka's followup: and *two* hearts?]