4 ms·

Userland software doesn't work unless it can use system calls provided by the Linux kernel either.

• mjg59 11y ago
  The kernel copyright file expressly states that using the standard system call interface does not create a derivative work. There is no such statement about in-kernel symbols.
  • ryao 11y ago
    > The kernel copyright file expressly states that using the standard system call interface does not create a derivative work. There is no such statement about in-kernel symbols. There is no legal precedent suggesting that was actually necessary either. Or are you aware of a court case
  • prutschman 11y ago
    That's a good assurance that would probably estop a Linux copyright holder from later claiming that a binary using only the system call interface is an infringing derivative work. It doesn't have the power to define a binary module using an internal interface as a derivative work; that can only be done by a court interpreting copyright law in a particular jurisdiction. In the United States, different Federal Circuit courts have different views of what constitutes a derivative work in software.