linux-kernel - Re: GPL only modules [was Re: [GIT PATCH] more Driver core patches for 2.6.19]

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Message-ID: <45816F98.9040602@mbligh.org>
Date:	Thu, 14 Dec 2006 07:36:56 -0800
From:	"Martin J. Bligh" <mbligh@...igh.org>
To:	Dave Jones <davej@...hat.com>,
	"Martin J. Bligh" <mbligh@...igh.org>,
	Linus Torvalds <torvalds@...l.org>, Greg KH <gregkh@...e.de>,
	Jonathan Corbet <corbet@....net>,
	Andrew Morton <akpm@...l.org>,
	"Michael K. Edwards" <medwards.linux@...il.com>,
	linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org
Subject: Re: GPL only modules [was Re: [GIT PATCH] more Driver core patches
 for 2.6.19]

Dave Jones wrote:
> On Wed, Dec 13, 2006 at 09:39:11PM -0800, Martin J. Bligh wrote:
> 
>  > The Ubuntu feisty fawn mess was a dangerous warning bell of where we're
>  > going. If we don't stand up at some point, and ban binary drivers, we
>  > will, I fear, end up with an unsustainable ecosystem for Linux when
>  > binary drivers become pervasive. I don't want to see Linux destroyed
>  > like that.
> 
> Thing is, if kernel.org kernels get patched to disallow binary modules,
> whats to stop Ubuntu (or anyone else) reverting that change in the
> kernels they distribute ?  The landscape doesn't really change much,
> given that the majority of Linux end-users are probably running
> distro kernels.

I don't think they'd dare spit in our faces quite that directly.
They think binary modules are permissible because we don't seem to have
consistently stated an intent contradicting that - some individual
developers have, but ultimately Linus hasn't.

I'm not talking about any legal issues to do with derived works,
copyrights or licenses - a clear statement of intent is probably all
it'd take to tip the balance.

M.
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