Re: [gentoo-user] Re: [WAS: keyboard stops working] Recent kernels block the loading of non-GPL kernel modules

[Fernando Rodriguez]

On Wednesday, August 19, 2015 8:04:01 PM Michael Orlitzky wrote:
> On 08/19/2015 07:40 PM, Fernando Rodriguez wrote:
> >>
> >> 1. Downloading the kernel source (making a copy of) it.
> >> 2. Patching it.
> >> 3. Linking it with closed source code.
> >> 4. Distributing the result.
> >>
> >> (If that's not what you have in mind, maybe we are at cross purposes).
> >>
> >> Step #1 is illegal unless you have a licence. The burden of proof is on
> >> you to show that you were allowed to do it.
> >
> > You have the license, the GPL allows you to do steps 1-3.
>
> The GPL would, if the authors granted it to you, but they don't.
> Selectively quoting...
>
>   4. You may not copy, modify, sublicense, or distribute the Program
>      except as expressly provided under this License...
>
>   5. You are not required to accept this License, since you have not
>      signed it. However, nothing else grants you permission to modify
>      or distribute the Program or its derivative works. These actions
>      are prohibited by law if you do not accept this License...
>
> The authors have been as clear as possible, even imposing a little
> technical roadblock to the effect, that they do not grant you the GPL
> under the aforementioned circumstances. The GPL faq mentions this,
>
> https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0-faq.en.html#LinkingWithGPL
>
> so the intent of anyone releasing their code under GPL-2 is clear.

What's the purpose of these quotes?
Neither of them says it doesn't allow steps 1-3. Instead of doing selective 
reading you should read the whole thing. If that's too much just read the first 
few questions under "General understanding of the GPL" on the FAQ.

-- 
Fernando Rodriguez