New Linux & GPL isuues

Dear All,

I am planning to use a module in my Open Source project GPL claimed
module.
I have to buy it from the customer.

The module is so build that it has 2 object files:
One object file will be provided with the source code which registers
itself to the kernel char driver interface and uses them.
The Second object file contains the proprietary code of the
manufacturer.
They build it this way and create a .ko file by linking them.
Later I can load this module into a running kernel module.

If this is the case, the second object file is not open source.
Can you please elaborate on this and let me know if I can use this in my
GPL based project.

Regards,
Mukund Jampala



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Re: New Linux & GPL isuues

> Dear All,
>
> I am planning to use a module in my Open Source project GPL claimed
> module.
> I have to buy it from the customer.
>
> The module is so build that it has 2 object files:
> One object file will be provided with the source code which registers
> itself to the kernel char driver interface and uses them.
> The Second object file contains the proprietary code of the
> manufacturer.
> They build it this way and create a .ko file by linking them.
> Later I can load this module into a running kernel module.
>
> If this is the case, the second object file is not open source.
> Can you please elaborate on this and let me know if I can use this in my
> GPL based project.

You can not distribute resulting binary.

> Regards,
> Mukund Jampala
>

/ Kari Hurtta


>
> -
> To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-newbie" in
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RE: New Linux & GPL isuues

Dear Kari,

>You can not distribute resulting binary.

But how are they distributing the driver modules.
Is it valid from the module distributor point of view?

Can some one distribute it so?

Regards,
Mukund Jampala


>> I am planning to use a module in my Open Source project GPL claimed
>> module.
>> I have to buy it from the customer.
>>
>> The module is so build that it has 2 object files:
>> One object file will be provided with the source code which registers
>> itself to the kernel char driver interface and uses them.
>> The Second object file contains the proprietary code of the
>> manufacturer.
>> They build it this way and create a .ko file by linking them.
>> Later I can load this module into a running kernel module.
>>
>> If this is the case, the second object file is not open source.
>> Can you please elaborate on this and let me know if I can use this in
my
>> GPL based project.
>
>You can not distribute resulting binary.
>
>> Regards,
>> Mukund Jampala
>>
>
>/ Kari Hurtta
>
>
>>
>> -
>> To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe
linux-newbie"
>in
>> the body of a message to majordomo@vger.kernel.org
>> More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html
>> Please read the FAQ at http://www.linux-learn.org/faqs
>>
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Re: New Linux & GPL isuues

> Dear Kari,
>
> >You can not distribute resulting binary.
>
> But how are they distributing the driver modules.
> Is it valid from the module distributor point of view?
>
> Can some one distribute it so?
>
> Regards,
> Mukund Jampala

What is "they" on here ?

If module is derivate of linux kernel (as copyright is considered),
then GPL apply. (Actually you need license from copyright holders of
linux kernel and on that case that license is GPL.)

What is derivate then you (or "they") better ask from laywyers (in all
countries to where you (or "they") distributing module.)


> >> I am planning to use a module in my Open Source project GPL claimed
> >> module.
> >> I have to buy it from the customer.
> >>
> >> The module is so build that it has 2 object files:
> >> One object file will be provided with the source code which registers
> >> itself to the kernel char driver interface and uses them.
> >> The Second object file contains the proprietary code of the
> >> manufacturer.
> >> They build it this way and create a .ko file by linking them.
> >> Later I can load this module into a running kernel module.
> >>
> >> If this is the case, the second object file is not open source.
> >> Can you please elaborate on this and let me know if I can use this in
> my
> >> GPL based project.
> >
> >You can not distribute resulting binary.
> >
> >> Regards,
> >> Mukund Jampala
> >>
> >
> >/ Kari Hurtta
> >
> >
> >>
> >> -
> >> To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe
> linux-newbie"
> >in
> >> the body of a message to majordomo@vger.kernel.org
> >> More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html
> >> Please read the FAQ at http://www.linux-learn.org/faqs
> >>
> -
> To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-newbie" in
> the body of a message to majordomo@vger.kernel.org
> More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html
> Please read the FAQ at http://www.linux-learn.org/faqs
>
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