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But in Windows drivers are binary files which talk to the kernel through an API. Not much different than a binary user mode application. If binary user mode app

by 781 7y ago

But in Windows drivers are binary files which talk to the kernel through an API. Not much different than a binary user mode application. If binary user mode applications written in GPL are ok, then so should this.

jcelerier 7y ago
> Not much different than a binary user mode application. well, user-mode applications do syscalls to the kernel, not direct function calls.
- 781 7y ago
  But the actual syscall is made by a Windows user mode library - kernel32.dll/... So your GPL user mode app calls directly into proprietary Windows library.
  - temac 7y ago
    That is specifically allowed by the GNU GPL. See "System Libraries" and adjacent paragraphs.
    - deleted 7y ago
      [deleted]
    - nathell 7y ago
      There is a mention of "System Libraries" in GPLv3, but not GPLv2, which the Linux kernel is licensed under.
      - temac 7y ago
        There are similar provisions in GPLv2.