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

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Message-ID: <20080208213637.7abe50a0@core>
Date:	Fri, 8 Feb 2008 21:36:37 +0000
From:	Alan Cox <alan@...rguk.ukuu.org.uk>
To:	Daniel Hazelton <dhazelton@...er.net>
Cc:	David Newall <davidn@...idnewall.com>,
	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

> In other words "EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL" isn't his idea of "a good legal idea", but 
> people ignoring this and doing things that circumvent this will, eventually, 
> have problems with the people who hold the copyright on the code. (In 
> addition, he stated that circumventing the "EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL" bit might also 
> be in violation of the DMCA, but he isn't sure if a court would see it in the 
> same light as someone cracking the CSS key on a DVD expressly for the purpose 
> of creating pirated copies)

There was a good analysis of that argument on the list some time ago. I
think the conclusion was fairly definitively no as the GPL explicitly
gives the right to modify GPL code. You are therefore aready "authorised"
to make such a change.

It might have a significance in terms of intent but thats for lawyers to
argue over.

Alan
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