linux-kernel - RE: GPL vs non-GPL device drivers

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Message-ID: <MDEHLPKNGKAHNMBLJOLKIEIMBKAC.davids@webmaster.com>
Date:	Fri, 16 Feb 2007 18:42:33 -0800
From:	"David Schwartz" <davids@...master.com>
To:	<mr.fred.smoothie@...il.com>
Cc:	"Linux-Kernel@...r. Kernel. Org" <linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org>
Subject: RE: GPL vs non-GPL device drivers

> On 2/16/07, David Schwartz <davids@...master.com> wrote:

> > (See, among other cases, Lexmark. v. Static
> > Controls.) A copyright is not a patent, you can only own
> > something if there
> > are multiple equally good ways to do it and you claim *one* of them.

> Only in a world where "write a Linux module" is a "functional idea." I
> don't think that the legal world in the US is an example of such a
> world, though you clearly do.

I'm not arguing "write a Linux module" is a functional idea. But "write code
so that a graphics card with a X1950 chipset works with a Linux kernel"
certainly is.

Again, see Lexmark v. Static Controls. If "make a toner cartridge that works
with a particular Lexmark printer" is a functional idea, why is "make a
graphics driver that works with a particular Linux kernel" not? What is the
difference you think matters?

DS

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