Return-Path: Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org via listexpand id S261204AbVCZS2n (ORCPT ); Sat, 26 Mar 2005 13:28:43 -0500 Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org id S261208AbVCZS2n (ORCPT ); Sat, 26 Mar 2005 13:28:43 -0500 Received: from mail.kroah.org ([69.55.234.183]:39811 "EHLO perch.kroah.org") by vger.kernel.org with ESMTP id S261204AbVCZS2l (ORCPT ); Sat, 26 Mar 2005 13:28:41 -0500 Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2005 10:28:28 -0800 From: Greg KH To: Mark Fortescue Cc: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org Subject: Re: Can't use SYSFS for "Proprietry" driver modules !!!. Message-ID: <20050326182828.GA8540@kroah.com> References: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline In-Reply-To: User-Agent: Mutt/1.5.8i Sender: linux-kernel-owner@vger.kernel.org X-Mailing-List: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org Content-Length: 1719 Lines: 41 On Sat, Mar 26, 2005 at 05:52:20PM +0000, Mark Fortescue wrote: > > I am writing a "Proprietry" driver module for a "Proprietry" PCI card and > I have found that I can't use SYSFS on Linux-2.6.10. > > Why ?. What ever gave you the impression that it was legal to create a "Proprietry" kernel driver for Linux in the first place. I seriously encourage you to consult your company's legal department if you insist on attempting to do this, as they will be contacted by others after your driver is released. > I am not modifing the Kernel/SYSFS code so I should be able, to use all > the SYSFS/internal kernel function calls without hinderence. I'm sorry, but as you have found out, that is not possible. > I believe that this sort of idiocy is what helps Microsoft hold on to its > manopoly and as shuch hinders hardware/software development in all areas > and should be chanaged in a way that promotes diversified software > development. If your company does not agree with the current license of the Linux kernel, which prevents you from creating "Proprietry" drivers, then do not write or create such drivers in the first place. We (the kernel community) are not forcing you to write a Linux driver. However, if you do wish to create a Linux driver, you _must_ abide by the legal requirements of the kernel, which I feel, along with every IP lawyer I have ever consulted, that it is not allowed to create a non-GPL compatible kernel module. 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/