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

lists.openwall.net		lists / announce owl-users owl-dev john-users john-dev passwdqc-users yescrypt popa3d-users / oss-security kernel-hardening musl sabotage tlsify passwords / crypt-dev xvendor / Bugtraq Full-Disclosure linux-kernel linux-netdev linux-ext4 linux-hardening linux-cve-announce PHC
Open Source and information security mailing list archives

Hash Suite: Windows password security audit tool. GUI, reports in PDF.

[<prev] [next>] [<thread-prev] [thread-next>] [day] [month] [year] [list]

Message-ID: <47AB2647.4090000@davidnewall.com>
Date:	Fri, 08 Feb 2008 02:09:51 +1030
From:	David Newall <davidn@...idnewall.com>
To:	Alan Cox <alan@...rguk.ukuu.org.uk>
CC:	Marcel Holtmann <marcel@...tmann.org>, Greg KH <greg@...ah.com>,
	Christer Weinigel <christer@...nigel.se>,
	linux-usb@...r.kernel.org, linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org
Subject: Re: [PATCH] USB: mark USB drivers as being GPL only

Alan Cox wrote:
>> It's nonsense, it's a reasonable reading of the GPL.  What I am doing is
>> telling you what the GPL says, not what you wish it said.
>>     
>
> In which case for each statement please give the case at appeal or higher
> level which is the precedent for the interpretation.
>   

I am giving my opinion.  By contrast, you have claimed to be giving the
opinion of numerous lawyers.  I hate to be so blunt, but that is the
naked truth.  You could improve that situation.


>>> If the developers say that this symbol can only be used in GPL code (and
>>> with EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL it is quite clear) then you have to obey to that
>>> license or don't use this symbol at all.
>>>   
>>>       
>> EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL is not a licence.  Only a licence is a licence.
>>     
>
> Export symbol is a guide. There is no reason to think that EXPORT_SYMBOL
> symbols alone mean your work is somehow not derivative.

No argument, other than with, "export symbol is a guide."   My argument
with that is that one could mistakenly infer that "export symbol"
includes "EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL."   The latter is not a guide, is it?  It
restricts a symbol from use by proprietary modules.
--
To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in
the body of a message to majordomo@...r.kernel.org
More majordomo info at  http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html
Please read the FAQ at  http://www.tux.org/lkml/