--- Jeffrey Watts jeffrey.w.watts@gmail.com wrote:
nVidia's driver uses kernel headers, which is technically a violation of the GPL. However, this is not an issue of abuse, but more of a unique situation, since the kernel is a unique item on a system. It's not an application and it's not a library, but has features of both.
And as I pointed out, if a "non-free" application's use of kernel headers is considered an enforceable violation of the GPL, then nothing non-native can legally be run in Linux, including anything run through Wine or Transgaming's Cedega.
The LPGL is not an appropriate copyright for the kernel - the GPL is more appropriate. However the GPL isn't perfect either.
Stallman and Torvalds have both stated that while there is certainly an issue, it is not violating the spirit of the Free Software movement. I also believe Torvalds has blessed this particular kind of thing and said that he does not see it to be a problem.
As I mentioned towards the end of the really long email message, kernel developers have put documentation into the modules.h header file indicating that they are expecting proprietary modules and as such have created a "proprietary" type. Anyone with Linux installed on a machine can see this documentation in /usr/src/linux/include/linux/module.h, showing that the kernel developers planned on having end users with proprietary drivers.
So I put it to Luke thus (and I'm echoing Leo): If Stallman (the most hardheaded and fervent Free Software advocate on the planet) and Torvalds (the reason you're here) both say it's cool, how is it that you feel that your viewpoint is superior?
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