Trever,
Just because Nvidia incorporate API-related intellectual property in their
current products doesn't mean that the next product they do will have the
same IP restrictions. Assuming that government and corporations continue
to examine and adopt Linux over other desktop systems, Nvidia's project
managers will have some incentive to look at this issue more closely.
As I see it, Andre's problems are a little tougher because there isn't a
choice of alternatives to the IP that he incorporates in his product, if
I'm reading his contributions correctly. (I've not followed the arguments
closely, so I could very well be in need of disabusement of my incorrect
notions.)
I'm surprised Richard Stallman didn't remind everyone of the thing that
started the whole argument for free software: his inability to drive a
laser printer because of closed, unpublished specifications. I won't put
words in his mouth (RMS is more than capable of speaking for himself) but
his concern is if the company goes away and there are problems with the
binary-only module, then people will be forced to junk the hardware or live
with the problems.
Ok, I'll go back to my hole now.
Satch
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