Re: Linux GPL and binary module exception clause?

Stefan Smietanowski
2003-12-05T12:09:19Z

Helge Hafting wrote:

> 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.

What I think he means is that nvidia.c only contains glue code and
blob.o contains the secret parts just like the current driver from
nvidia.

// Stefan