Re: Linux GPL and binary module exception clause?

Helge Hafting
2003-12-05T11:00:27Z

Ihar 'Philips' Filipau wrote:

> GPL is about distribution.
>
> e.g. NVidia can distribute .o file (with whatever license they have
> to) and nvidia.{c,h} files (even under GPL license).
> Then install.sh may do on behalf of user "gcc nvidia.c blob.o -o
> nvidia.ko". Resulting module are not going to be distributed - it is
> already at hand of end-user. So no violation of GPL whatsoever.

Open source still win if they do this. Anybody interested
may then read the restricted source and find out how
the chip works. They may then write an open driver
from scratch, using the knowledge.

Helge Hafting