[clug] The GPL and kernel modules

[Edward Lang]

I read this quotation in the NYT a week or two ago:

| Mr. Giuliani's approach was nonpartisan in the best sense--i.e., not
fuzzy but frank. It
| wasn't /Public schools want to be free/; it was /This is what will
help, this is why it isn't
| happening, this is why we have to make it happen/. That didn't sound
like the same old
| same old. It didn't sound like the past.

LINK: http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110008516

Over the last few years I've come to hold such pragmatism in higher
regard than I once did in the past, and I think it's a fairly
reasonable and valuable position to take in a variety of matters. For
example, in the world of software I'd rather find the best possible
compromise between freedom from monopolies and oligarchies, and
providing incentives for those willing to commit time, money and
resources to research and development.

I've noticed a thread on planet.gnome.org (mostly by Luiz Villa iirc)
that is thinking about the impact of paying volunteers on their work.
Perhaps that extends to the protection of their work? That is, those
with the least monetary reward (and by implication, with the least
reimbursement to lose) are the most likely to take social risks.


On 6/21/06, Sam Couter <sam at couter.dropbear.id.au> wrote:
> Paul Wayper <paul.wayper at anu.edu.au> wrote:
>
> > One is that what I _don't_ see is the FSF badgering nVidia and ATI
>
> They may be badgering them incessantly in private.
>
> > or taking them to court, over 'violating the GPL' by distributing
> > binary-only drivers.
>
> #include <ianal_disclaimer.h>
>
> The FSF has no standing to initiate legal action over GPL violations
> unless they hold the copyright being violated. Only the copyright holder
> can take legal action, regardless of who authored the licence.
>
> The kernel developers, who *do* hold the copyright over their various
> pieces of kernel code, could take action if they wished. Those with
> Linus don't want to because they think it's okay that nVidia and ATI
> drivers have binary components. Most of the others probably want to see
> a better resolution than The GPL Case Of The Century. And maybe some
> just don't care enough or have enough money or confidence to go to the
> trouble of prosecuting.
> --
> Sam Couter         |  mailto:sam at couter.dropbear.id.au
>                    |  jabber:sam at teknohaus.dyndns.org
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