Return-Path: Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org via listexpand id S262519AbVBCFIc (ORCPT ); Thu, 3 Feb 2005 00:08:32 -0500 Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org id S262486AbVBCFIb (ORCPT ); Thu, 3 Feb 2005 00:08:31 -0500 Received: from mail.kroah.org ([69.55.234.183]:1452 "EHLO perch.kroah.org") by vger.kernel.org with ESMTP id S262928AbVBCFHx (ORCPT ); Thu, 3 Feb 2005 00:07:53 -0500 Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2005 21:07:42 -0800 From: Greg KH To: Zan Lynx Cc: Pavel Roskin , Patrick Mochel , Linux Kernel Subject: Re: Please open sysfs symbols to proprietary modules Message-ID: <20050203050742.GA17909@kroah.com> References: <20050202232909.GA14607@kroah.com> <20050203003010.GA15481@kroah.com> <1107406442.23059.16.camel@localhost> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline In-Reply-To: <1107406442.23059.16.camel@localhost> User-Agent: Mutt/1.5.6i Sender: linux-kernel-owner@vger.kernel.org X-Mailing-List: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org Content-Length: 1605 Lines: 36 On Wed, Feb 02, 2005 at 09:54:02PM -0700, Zan Lynx wrote: > So, what's the magic amount of redirection and abstraction that cleanses > the GPLness, hmm? Who gets to wave the magic wand to say what > interfaces are GPL-to-non-GPL and which aren't? Go read the historical posts from Linus that talk about how and why closed source modules were allowed for Linux. Then think about the fact that those issues are no longer pertintante these days for the majority of people who are trying to create such things. Then go consult an IP lawyer and listen to what they say. If your company feels that it can still ship a closed source driver, with legal approval, great, you've accepted the risk that this involves, and are willing to handle the issues that will occur (cease-and-deist letters, lawsuits, etc.) > If the trend of making everything _GPL continues, I don't see any choice > for binary module vendors but to join together to develop a stable > driver API and build it as a GPL/BSD module. Do the same API for BSD > systems to prove modules using it are not GPL derived. Watch Greg foam. > It'd be fun. Ah, UDI is over that-a-way. Been there, done that, watched everyone abandon it due to it being a stupid idea. If you want to revisit it and dig it up and get it working again, more power to you. I'll not foam, but laugh. good luck, greg k-h - To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in the body of a message to majordomo@vger.kernel.org More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html Please read the FAQ at http://www.tux.org/lkml/