The Linux Kernel

• There is no exception to the GPL for the Linux Kernel
  
• This is what people cite as an exception:

  NOTE! This copyright does *not* cover user programs that use kernel services by normal system calls - this is merely considered normal use of the kernel, and does *not* fall under the heading of "derived work". Also note that the GPL below is copyrighted by the Free Software Foundation, but the instance of code that it refers to (the Linux kernel) is copyrighted by me and others who actually wrote it.

  (emphasis added)
  
• Linux developers have implemented a mechanism to prevent non-GPL modules from using certain interfaces.
  
  • MODULE_SYMBOL_GPL marks these functions
    
  • Note that mechanism doesn't determine law
    
  • This is only used for new interfaces
    
• This mechanism is not an excuse to link proprietary modules against other interfaces
  

Next: Standard exceptions Previous Top

Copyright © 2003-2005, Free Software Foundation. Verbatim copying permitted provided this notice is preserved.