Widespread Linux Practice May Violate License
A common practice among embedded Linux developers almost certainly violates the Linux license, according to research conducted by software attorneys Jay Michaelson and Christopher Holst. Wasabi Systems Inc., a leading provider of embedded operating systems, today released a white paper entitled Closed-Source Loadable Kernel Modules Violate the GPL, which is the second in a series of white papers focusing on the myths and facts about open source licensing.
he latest white paper discusses the issue of Loadable Kernel Modules (LKMs), a method commonly used by Linux developers to circumvent the requirement that modified Linux code be shared with the public. Although Michaelson notes that there are many legitimate uses of LKMs, the code they contain would otherwise be part of the kernel and compiled along with it. In that case, the source code to these LKMs would have to be made public according to the terms of Linux's license, the GNU General Public License (GPL). By dynamically loading the code later, developers claim that it is not part of the GPL-covered kernel - a claim refuted by Michaelson and Holst.
- Login or register to post comments
- Printer-friendly version
- 1687 reads
- PDF version
More in Tux Machines
- Highlights
- Front Page
- Latest Headlines
- Archive
- Recent comments
- All-Time Popular Stories
- Hot Topics
- New Members
digiKam 7.7.0 is releasedAfter three months of active maintenance and another bug triage, the digiKam team is proud to present version 7.7.0 of its open source digital photo manager. See below the list of most important features coming with this release. |
Dilution and Misuse of the "Linux" Brand
|
Samsung, Red Hat to Work on Linux Drivers for Future TechThe metaverse is expected to uproot system design as we know it, and Samsung is one of many hardware vendors re-imagining data center infrastructure in preparation for a parallel 3D world. Samsung is working on new memory technologies that provide faster bandwidth inside hardware for data to travel between CPUs, storage and other computing resources. The company also announced it was partnering with Red Hat to ensure these technologies have Linux compatibility. |
today's howtos
|
Recent comments
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago