linux-kernel - Re: [PATCH] USB: mark USB drivers as being GPL only

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Message-ID: <20080207140629.309c2a3f@core>
Date:	Thu, 7 Feb 2008 14:06:29 +0000
From:	Alan Cox <alan@...rguk.ukuu.org.uk>
To:	David Newall <davidn@...idnewall.com>
Cc:	Greg KH <greg@...ah.com>, Christer Weinigel <christer@...nigel.se>,
	Pekka Enberg <penberg@...helsinki.fi>,
	linux-usb@...r.kernel.org, linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org
Subject: Re: [PATCH] USB: mark USB drivers as being GPL only

> Perhaps you might read up on unfair trade practices and contract law. 

I'm familiar with them to some extent because I have run companies in the
past and continue to do so as a sideline to my Red Hat work. I also spend
more time than I'd like talking to lawyers about licencing.

> The contract (GPL) doesn't prevent me from using GPL work, in fact it
> encourages me.  Neither can it impose conditions upon original work
> authored by a third party.

First mistake: The GPL is not a contract it is a license.

If the GPL was a contract it could most certainly impose conditions upon
original works. Contract law permits to write things like "If you buy the
source for this package you agree not to write a competing product for
three years even if an origina work". 

Alan
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