Re: Module Licensing?

Timur Tabi
2001-10-31T16:54:11Z

Alan Cox wrote:

>>Ah, but what happens if I distribute the source code, the closed-source .o
>>files, and a makefile, and tell people that they should link it? Am I
>>violating the GPL, or is the end-user?
>>
>
> I am told by legal people you are, because you provided the code soley with
> the intent that it was used that way. Whether an imaginative lawyer can
> also get you locked away under the DMCA for distributing a device for
> violating copyright I dont know 8)

But the GPL only covers distribution, not use. Just because I distribute GPL
source code, doesn't mean that it actually has to work or do something. The
open source portions of the driver conform to the GPL, because they #include
kernel header files and, in some case, cut-and-paste from the kernel source
itself. The closed source portions do not #include any kernel header files or
use any source code from anyone else.

The fact that the open source portions and the closed source portions can't
function on their own is irrelevant, IMHO.

Please show me where in the GPL text it says that the act of compiling a
module and loading it into memory is subject to the GPL.

> If you wanted to provide a mixed source/binary driver that wasnt derivative
> of the kernel (and there are lots of reasons for it) - don't GPL your
> open source bit use something like MPL or BSD

Our open source bits are GPL because they are "derived" from the kernel
source, which is also GPL.

FYI, I don't consider including a header file basis for calling the module
"derived" from that header file, but that's just my personal opinion and
doesn't really affect this discussion.