Re: [PATCH 2.5.5] do export vmalloc_to_page to modules...

Kai Henningsen (kaih@khms.westfalen.de)
04 Apr 2002 08:26:00 +0200


alan@lxorguk.ukuu.org.uk (Alan Cox) wrote on 03.04.02 in <E16soms-0004Au-00@the-village.bc.nu>:

> > EXPORT_SYMBOL(vfree);
> > EXPORT_SYMBOL(__vmalloc);
> > -EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(vmalloc_to_page);
> > +EXPORT_SYMBOL(vmalloc_to_page);
>
> The authors of that code made it GPL. You have no right to change that. Its
> exactly the same as someone taking all your code and making it binary only.
>
> You are
> - subverting a digital rights management system
> [5 years jail in the USA]
> - breaking a license
>
> but worse than that you are ignoring the basic moral rights of the authors
> of that code.

Frankly, I believe that it is both illegal (by the GPL) and morally
bankrupt to add these "GPL only" symbols to the kernel *unless* you can
get agreement for them fro *all* kernel copyright holders.

Which I predict you won't get.

That is, except when you handle the "_GPL" as a meaningless adornment.

MfG Kai
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