Embedded Linux and the GPL [LWN.net]

Embedded Linux and the GPL

Posted Jun 10, 2003 22:05 UTC (Tue) by Baylink (guest, #755)
Parent article: Embedded Linux and the GPL

> The drivers in question will be implemented as loadable

*binary*

> modules which, until
some disgruntled kernel developer proves otherwise in court, are legal to distribute
for use with the kernel.

And, while I came around on signed kernels, I'm still not entirely convinced on
binary modules. *Is* nothing better than something?

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Embedded Linux and the GPL

Posted Jun 22, 2003 18:53 UTC (Sun) by mmarq (guest, #2332) [Link]

Well, time to time politics seem to collide with the GPLed Linux...
One has to draw a conclusion:- Binary modules are here to stay!

THERE IS NO OTHER CHOISE, EVEN IF SCO WINS AND STALLS LINUX FOR 1 YEAR

You cannot force 1 vendor to GPL code if that vendor dosent want to... that "proclaimed innocence" about GPL obligations IS NOT THAT INNOCENT, is a form that a vendor has to protect for a while is "supposed" very important IP,... for the next iteration of the product, he(vendor) then repeats the cycle...

" But there are forms to control what binary modules can do! "

As we can see from kernel Traffic the Dynamik kernel module support (DKMS) is an excelent tool to "obligate" that all binary modules be external to the Kernel,... and then there is the "hardning patches" that circulated last october at the end of code freeze that can be made to control what this binary modules can do.