• cornshark@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    5 months ago

    How’s this possible with the kernel under gpl? If you’re getting precompiled binaries, shouldn’t you also be able to get their sources by law?

    • apt_install_coffee
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      edit-2
      5 months ago

      Kernel modules don’t have to be open source provided they follow certain rules like not using gpl only symbols. This is the same reason you can use an NVIDIA driver.

      Its not enforced so much by law as what the fsf and Linux foundation can prove and are willing to pursue; going after a company that size is expensive, especially when they’re a Linux foundation partner. A lot of major Linux foundation partners are actively breaking the GPL.