Re: Inclusion of tp_smapi module into kernel?

H. Peter Anvin
2008-11-17T16:41:50Z

Hanno Böck wrote:
>
> I wanted to ask if there is some status on possible kernel inclusion. On
> http://www.linuxdriverproject.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/OutOfTreeDrivers
> I read
> "will not be accepted upstream due to authorship issues (written by an
> anonymous developer)"
>
> Now I can see copyright notices in all source files, though they may be
> incomplete. But anyway, would this be a real problem?
> Is there any rule that kernel code needs a named author? As long as it has a
> fitting license, shouldn't this be fine?
>

We need to be able to identify who owns the copyright. For all we know,
the anonymous submitter might not have the right to his own work (work
for hire, etc.) or it could have been produced in violation of NDA
terms, etc.

-hpa