Position Statement on Linux Kernel Modules
(Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:27:36 +0000)
"As part of the Linux Foundation Technical board, we confront the issue of closed source Linux kernel modules all the time, and we wanted to do something that could be seen as a general 'public statement' about them that is easy to understand and point to when people have questions," began Greg KH, explaining, "so, after working on this for a while, and asking some of the other major contributors and maintainers of the kernel, what we have is below." a FAQ on the Linux Foundation website provides more background on the statement, which was undersigned by nearly 140 Linux kernel hackers. The statement reads:
"We, the undersigned Linux kernel developers, consider any closed-source Linux kernel module or driver to be harmful and undesirable. We have repeatedly found them to be detrimental to Linux users, businesses, and the greater Linux ecosystem. Such modules negate the openness, stability, flexibility, and maintainability of the Linux development model and shut their users off from the expertise of the Linux community. Vendors that provide closed-source kernel modules force their customers to give up key Linux advantages or choose new vendors. Therefore, in order to take full advantage of the cost savings and shared support benefits open source has to offer, we urge vendors to adopt a policy of supporting their customers on Linux with open-source kernel code."