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Previous title had "...with Linux 5.0 compatibility". The significance of this is that 5.0 changed some interfaces used by ZFS to require GPL license, which ZoL

• josteink 8y ago
  Wouldn’t it be possible to create an intermediate GPL licensed kernel-module which simply re-exported the relevant exports so that other kernel-modules could use the exports provided by this module instead? It could have a neat name too, like “gplbridge” or whatever (all associations with License-trolls only partially intended). That way they wouldn’t have remove optimized code for Linux 5+ users. Dirty, utterly pointless, but it would get the job done, right?
  • belorn 8y ago
    Imagine standing in court explaining to a non-technical judge and jury how this "bridge" transforms the copyrighted work into two fully separated works rather than a single derivative work. Do think it would work? Personally I think one has a better time arguing that kernel modules simply interface with the kernel rather than creating a derivative work, thus making any module independent from the license of the kernel. The case law around "interfacing" is conflicting, but at least a few cases has gone in favor of the accused.