[olug] OT: more Hans goodness

[Barry Von Ahsen]

hate to mid-post:

William Langford wrote:
> For the record, I'm unsure of my position on the matter, as if my  
> opinion matters heh.
> 
> Sent from my iPhone


this suggests to me you're in the useful is better than righteous :)

apple = free (bsd) + proprietary (shiny, ui consistency, paste 
consistency, etc, etc) :)


-barry





> On Jul 9, 2008, at 10:26 PM, Luke -Jr <luke at dashjr.org> wrote:
> 
>> On Wednesday 09 July 2008, Bill Brush wrote:
>>> Based on my reading, I don't think that a module legally meets the
>>> definition of a derivative work.  You, may of course, disagree with  
>>> my
>>> reading.
>> I think a driver is quite clearly an elaboration.
>>
>>> I think the fact that no one with standing to contest these drivers  
>>> has done
>>> so is a convincing circumstantial corroboration of my point however.
>> Actually, many (most?) Linux developers consider binary modules to  
>> be illegal.
>> Greg K-H, one of the 'major' developers, has also spoken with IP  
>> lawyers
>> regarding the matter, and they all agree that binary modules are  
>> illegal.
>>
>> http://www.kroah.com/log/linux/ols_2006_keynote.html
>>    "Closed source Linux kernel modules are illegal. That's it, it is  
>> very
>>     simple. I've had the misfortune of talking to a lot of different  
>> IP lawyers
>>     over the years about this topic, and every one that I've talked  
>> to all agree
>>     that there is no way that anyone can create a Linux kernel  
>> module, today,
>>     that can be closed source. It just violates the GPL due to fun  
>> things like
>>     derivative works and linking and other stuff. Again, it's very  
>> simple.
>>
>>     Now no lawyer will ever come out in public and say this, as  
>> lawyer really
>>     aren't allowed to make public statements like this at all. But  
>> if you hire
>>     one, and talk to them in the client/lawyer setting, they will  
>> advise you of
>>     this issue."
>>
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