Messages in this thread | | | Date | Wed, 12 Apr 2006 10:16:13 +0200 | From | David Weinehall <> | Subject | Re: GPL issues |
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On Wed, Apr 12, 2006 at 12:01:02AM -0700, Pramod Srinivasan wrote: > > 3. Userspace code that uses interfaces that was not exposed to userspace > > before you change the kernel --> GPL (but don't do it; there's almost > > always a reason why an interface is not exported to userspace) > > > 4. Userspace code that only uses existing interfaces --> choose > > license yourself (but of course, GPL would be nice...) > > > 5. Userspace code that depends on interfaces you added to the kernel > > --> consult a lawyer (if this interface is something completely new, > > you can *probably* use your own license for the userland part; if the > > interface is more or less a wrapper of existing functionality, GPL) > > An example could be helpful in clarifying the GPL license. > > Suppose I use the linux-vrf patch for the kernel that is freely > available and use the extended setsocket options such as SO_VRF in an > application, do I have to release my application under GPL since I am > using a facility in the kernel that a standard linux kernel does not > provide? > > Suppose my LKM driver adds a extra header to all outgoing packets and > removes the extra header from the incoming packets, should this driver > be released under GPL.? In a way it extends the functionality of > linux, if I do release the driver code under GPL because this was > built with linux in mind, Should I release the application which > adds intelligence to interpret the extra header under GPL?
As I said above, you need to consult a lawyer in unclear cases. The examples you list above seems innocent enough, but again, I am not a lawyer. A lot has to do with intent. Are you exporting things to userland just to workaround the GPL? If so, you're likely violating the GPL... =)
Regards: david -- /) David Weinehall <tao@acc.umu.se> /) Northern lights wander (\ // Maintainer of the v2.0 kernel // Dance across the winter sky // \) http://www.acc.umu.se/~tao/ (/ Full colour fire (/ - To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in the body of a message to majordomo@vger.kernel.org More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html Please read the FAQ at http://www.tux.org/lkml/
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