linux-kernel - Re: Dual-Licensing Linux Kernel with GPL V2 and GPL V3

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Date:	Fri, 15 Jun 2007 13:49:21 +0200
From:	Ingo Molnar <mingo@...e.hu>
To:	David Woodhouse <dwmw2@...radead.org>
Cc:	Daniel Hazelton <dhazelton@...er.net>,
	Alan Cox <alan@...rguk.ukuu.org.uk>,
	Alexandre Oliva <aoliva@...hat.com>,
	Linus Torvalds <torvalds@...ux-foundation.org>,
	Greg KH <greg@...ah.com>,
	debian developer <debiandev@...il.com>, david@...g.hm,
	Tarkan Erimer <tarkan@...one.net.tr>,
	linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org,
	Andrew Morton <akpm@...ux-foundation.org>
Subject: Re: Dual-Licensing Linux Kernel with GPL V2 and GPL V3

* David Woodhouse <dwmw2@...radead.org> wrote:

> Who cares about whether the module is a derivative work? That's only 
> relevant when you distribute the module as a separate work. When you 
> ship a combined work including both the kernel and the module in 
> question, it's a _whole_ lot easier to interpret the GPL.

i fully support the notion you articulate, that whether bin-only modules 
are part of a derivative work of the kernel or whether they are 
independent works is not an automatic thing at all. The answer is: "it 
depends, talk to your lawyer". For example i'd say VMWare's ESX bin-only 
module is likely derived from the Linux kernel and should be distributed 
under the GPL, but that for example the ATI and nvidia drivers, although 
being a large PITA for all of us, are possibly independent works.

but lets note that this is irrelevant to the Tivo argument. Tivo is not 
using bin-only modules AFAIK, all their source code is available for 
download. (their kernel source is totally uninteresting by the way - 
they have some weird crap IDE controller with hacks that will never go 
upstream.)

	Ingo
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