On Fri, Sep 18, 1998 at 11:13:37AM -0600, Erik Andersen wrote:
> On Fri, 18 Sep 1998, Pavel Machek wrote:
>
>
> Two issues though:
> 1) Why can't BSD, NPL, Artistic, and other free code be linked
> with the kernel? As I read the GPL, this isn't a problem, and
> unless I am mistaken, there are a number of linux drivers that have
> made use of *BSD code, which is not GPL. I think you are mistaken
> in your statement.
>
My reading of the GPL is that it permits linking with "free" licences. but i
can be wrong :)
> 2) It is reasonable to consider a device driver running under a UDI layer
> as an "independent and separate works in themselves", and in that context,
> there is no problem using it under a non-free OS. It is just a program
But the driver will be linked against the kernel. That does violate GPL.
> that runs on the OS (in kernel space), and as such it is no different
> then running gcc under SCO or solaris, etc. Not a problem, as long as
> they also distribute (or point to) the source.
Not quite. gcc runs in user space and 1 libc away from the kernel :)
> Remember, "mere aggregation of another work not based on the Program
> with the Program (or with a work based on the Program) on a volume of
> a storage or distribution medium does not bring the other work under
> the scope of this License." If we write it, they can ship it -- but it
> will be free, and can be fixed.
>
Storage is not running. That means you can release a cdrom with the linux
kernel and Motif. Not that you can link motifinto the linux kernel.
> I say we have everything to gain by supporting this, and little to lose.
> We get binary only drivers for unsupported devices, and then when we get a
> free driver that is better written, everyone will use it because of the
> inherent advantages of a free driver.
>
How do we get a driver ?
- --
Carlos Morgado - l39801@alfa.ist.utl.pt - http://alfa.ist.utl.pt/~c39801
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