Messages in this thread | | | Date | Wed, 6 Feb 2008 23:04:52 +0200 | From | Adrian Bunk <> | Subject | Re: [PATCH] USB: mark USB drivers as being GPL only |
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On Tue, Feb 05, 2008 at 05:34:23PM -0600, Chris Friesen wrote: > David Newall wrote: >> That being said, a module can be written such that it only dynamically >> links with the kernel. Ndiswrapper is an example of how this can be >> done: None of the drivers that work under ndiswrapper make any direct >> use of the kernel, not in any way, indeed a wrapper could be written >> for a different operating system. > > The issue is all about "derivative works" in copyright law. > > Ndiswrapper is in a good position because the closed-source drivers were > originally written for another OS so it's pretty well impossible to > argue that they are derived from linux. >...
IANAL, but when looking at the "But when you distribute the same sections as part of a whole which is a work based on the Program, the distribution of the whole must be on the terms of this License" of the GPLv2 I would still consult a lawyer before e.g. selling a laptop with a closed-source driver loaded through ndiswrapper.
> Chris
cu Adrian
--
"Is there not promise of rain?" Ling Tan asked suddenly out of the darkness. There had been need of rain for many days. "Only a promise," Lao Er said. Pearl S. Buck - Dragon Seed
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