* pierre@lineo.com <pierre@lineo.com> on Wed, Oct 17, 2001:

> 
> I can make a kernel driver that compiles statically
> and also uses a non-GPL library, even in the form of
> a binary .o file, and the "tainted" mechanism as it
> is today will miss it entirely.
> 

Statically into the kernel?  I don't think so.  First off, if your "static"
code isn't GPL'd you can't distribute the resultant kernel since you've
violated the GPL.  The tainted mechanism was designed for proprietary
and/or binary-only modules without a supported license.  The case you
mention above can't even exist (at least, not in any publically-accessible
code).

M. R.