On Mon, Sep 04, 2006 at 07:12:42PM +0100, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > The Linux kernel is GPLed. "Shim" modules that link into it > automatically have to be GPLed as well. So the kernel and the shim > module together form a GPLed work. How exactly are you going to tell a > court that the GPL suddenly didn't apply anymore? > > As I understand the situation: Nvidia own the copyright to the shim, > Nvidia GPL the shim and link it against the GPLed kernel, creating a > combined GPLed work. Then Nvidia link their closed driver to their own > shim (which they own the copyright for) and not the rest of the kernel, so > there is no violation.
The GPL as license is transitive. Not "License" not "Copyright", two different beasts. > > I admit that for a few persons the eradication of closed source kernel > modules may be somewhat unpleasant, but in the longer term it is the > only feasible way. The unavailability of said modules will make people > more willing to test reverse engineered drivers, leading to greater > driver quality overall. Please contact a lawyer ;) Ciao, Marcus --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
