KS2009: How Google uses Linux

1. They are not using kernels that are close to linus git head.
2. Some code would not be wanted in the mainline kernel.
3. Some code is not good enough to get into the mainline kernel.
4. They don't want to have 30 people saying the code will only get in if it does this. Aka. They don't want to make it support the features they are not using.
5. Some code is proprietary and they want to protect the IP. As was stated above as long as they are not distributing the code the changes are their property.
6. A lot of there patches are code backported from mainline, so it is already in the kernel.

I think moving forward that you will see Google have a few developers working on mainline to try and influence future kernels because it will be financially cheaper to carry as few patches as possible. Also, I feel they will always have some patches that they feel are too valuable IP to gave back and will continue to maintain those outside the mainline.