Messages in this thread | | | Date | 19 May 99 13:25:29 MDT | From | <> | Subject | Annoying GPL issues |
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What do you think about this ? I think it is dangerous to let some companies such as M-Systems or IGEL infringing the GPL.
[M-systems provides binary only Linux drivers which are statically linked to the kernel (because there are needed to boot). They simulate a block device with flash memory ("disk-on-chip") using proprietary and patented algorithms. At least one company (IGEL) is using them in commercial Linux based products.]
Richard Stallman wrote: > > I agree. But the M-systems drivers are NOT MODULES. They are STATICALLY linked > > to the kernel. So this is clearly illegal according to the GPL. I think > > Richard Stallman may be interested to hear that.
> That is clearly a violation of the GPL. However, the FSF can't > do anything to enforce the terms for using Linux, because only > the copyright holders of Linux have legal standing to do that. > > My interpretation of the GPL is that it covers dynamically loaded > modules as well as statically-linked code. However, since it's up to > the copyright holders of Linux to enforce the GPL for Linux, if they > say proprietary dynamic modules are permitted, nobody else can object.
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