Re: GPL Violation?

[Michiel de Boer <x@rebelhomicide.demon.nl>]

Anonymous User wrote:
> On 8/16/06, Anonymous User <anonymouslinuxuser@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I work for a company that will be developing an embedded Linux based
>> consumer electronic device.
>>
>> I believe that new kernel modules will be written to support I/O
>> peripherals and perhaps other things.  I don't know the details right
>> now.  What I am trying to do is get an idea of what requirements there
>> are to make the source code available under the GPL.
>>
>> I suspect the company will try to get away with releasing as little as
>> possible.  I don't know much about the GPL or Linux kernel internals,
>> but I want to encourage the company I work for to give back to the
>> community.
>>
>> I understand that modifications to GPL code must be released under the
>> GPL.  So if they tweak a scheduler implementation, this must be
>> released.  What if a new driver is written to support a custom piece
>> of hardware?  Yes, the driver was written to work with the Linux
>> kernel, but it isn't based off any existing piece of code.
>>
>> I'm posting anonymously because the company probably wouldn't want me
>> discussing this at all  :(
>
>
> Thanks to everyone who has responded to my question so far.
>
> It seems like the two issues that need to be addressed are:
> 1) Are the kernel modules being developed derived works?  If they are,
> they must be released along with the entire kernel source.
> 2) If they are not derived works, and shipped in a product, does the
> fact that they are shipped in a product that uses the linux kernel
> require that the new modules be licensed under the GPL?
>
> Yes, I agree that the company I work for should talk to a lawyer.  I
> however, am not interested in picking up a big legal tab to satisfy my
> curiosity.
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I suggest you take a look at http://gpl-violations.org/

Regards, Michiel de Boer