Talk Details

GPL and non-GPL code interaction in the Linux kernel

Name Jaya Kumar

Organisation Independent Developer

Website http://www.kernelplanet.org

Scope General

Topic Legal issues

Type talk

Abstract Topic: Licensing issues
The purpose of this talk is to provide a general overview of what is happening in the Linux kernel with respect to non-GPL code. It will attempt to present the broad set of opinions around binary only device drivers as well as semi-closed drivers that have binary only firmware or link limited binary only objects. It will attempt to provide some historical anecdotes like the removal of the Nemosoft Philips webcam driver, the Linuxant/Marc Boucher attempt to circumvent taint checking in module licenses.

Pre-requisites A basic understanding of licensing and copyright terminology. Some knowledge of the differences between GPL, BSD and other licenses will help as well.

Profile Jaya Kumar is an independent developer working on the Linux kernel and embedded hardware design. He has contributed IDE, audio and video device drivers as well as some fixups to the Linux kernel.