Re: GPL issues

David Weinehall
2006-04-11T23:06:45Z

OK, simplified rules; if you follow them you should generally be OK:

1. Changes to kernel --> GPL

2. Kernel driver --> GPL

3. Userspace code that uses interfaces that was not exposed to userspace
before you change the kernel --> GPL (but don't do it; there's almost
always a reason why an interface is not exported to userspace)

4. Userspace code that only uses existing interfaces --> choose
license yourself (but of course, GPL would be nice...)

5. Userspace code that depends on interfaces you added to the kernel
--> consult a lawyer (if this interface is something completely new,
you can *probably* use your own license for the userland part; if the
interface is more or less a wrapper of existing functionality, GPL)

And of course, I'm not a lawyer either...

Regards: David Weinehall
--
/) David Weinehall <tao@acc.umu.se> /) Northern lights wander (\
// Maintainer of the v2.0 kernel // Dance across the winter sky //
\) http://www.acc.umu.se/~tao/ (/ Full colour fire (/