Re: GPL Violation?

Helge Hafting
2006-08-18T09:07:32Z

Ian Stirling wrote:
>
> Well...
> The problem is that in many cases AIUI, a large entry barrier to
> someone taking CPU A, chip B, sticking it in a box, and selling
> it, is that there is no linux driver for chip B.
> If you (as someone who does not make chip B) release the GPL'd
> driver, then you're making it a fair bit easier for competitors,
> who can now simply copy your often not very novel in any way
> other than you thought of it first - design, and use that driver.
Which is why the maker of chip B would do very well to make a basic
linux driver - perhaps not novel in any way, but now everybody want to
use B chips because it comes with working software.

And if linux powered gadgets with chip B becomes popular, surely
someone pick up the simple driver and improves it too.

Helge Hafting