To: "Adam J. Richter" <adam@yggdrasil.com>
Cc: davids@webmaster.com, jp@enix.org, linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org
Subject: Re: Possible GPL infringement in Broadcom-based routers
References: <200411061040.iA6AeZp03452@freya.yggdrasil.com>
From: Michael Poole <mdpoole@troilus.org>
Date: 05 Nov 2004 13:51:57 -0500
In-Reply-To: <200411061040.iA6AeZp03452@freya.yggdrasil.com>
Message-ID: <87oeicuo1e.fsf@sanosuke.troilus.org>
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Adam J. Richter writes:

> 	I think you're missing the idea that that such drivers are
> _contributory_ infringement to the direct infringement that occurs when
> the user loads the module.  In other words, even for a driver that has
> not a byte of code derived from the kernel, if all its uses involve it
> being loaded into a GPL'ed kernel to form an infringing derivative
> work in RAM by the user committing direct copyright infringement against
> numerous GPL'ed kernel components, then it fails the test of having
> a substantial non-infringing use, as established in the Betamax decision,
> and distributing it is contributory infringement of those GPL'ed
> components of the kernel.

Combining GPLed works with GPL-incompatible works violates the GPL if
you distribute the result; the GPL allows one to make that kind of
combination for one's own use.  Go read the GPL more closely.

Michael Poole
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