Messages in this thread | | | Subject | RE: Possible GPL infringement in Broadcom-based routers | From | David Woodhouse <> | Date | Sun, 07 Nov 2004 17:05:06 +0000 |
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On Sat, 2004-11-06 at 12:09 -0800, David Schwartz wrote: > This is exactly the argument I hoped would *not* arise on the LKML. I'll > try not to reply further unelss someone posts something fundmanetally new. > > > Anyone copying and distributing the Linux kernel must comply with the > > copyright licence which _conditionally_ grants them permission to do so. > > *sigh* We're not talking about anyone copying or distributing *the* Linux > kernel. We're talking about someone copying or distributing another work > that is derivative of the Linux kernel (which is also *a* Linux kernel, just > not *the* Linux kernel). This is true whether they distribute the module > separately or linked with the Linux kernel. In either case, they are not > distributing the actual work placed under the GPL but a distinct, yet > derivative, work.
Ah, OK. So as long as they change one line of code in the kernel, it's a derivative work and they're no longer required to comply with the GPL? They don't even need to use binary-only modules; they can put their own proprietary code into their kernel, and distribute it how they like?
An interesting opinion.
-- dwmw2
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