Re: License related query

Just to clarify the situation with the Linux kernel, the reason Linus
allows certain binary blobs in the kernel is that GPL puts a restriction on
code that is "derived" from GPL code. According to Linus, cases such as the
Nvidia driver are allowed to be non-GPL because they were originally
written for another operation system, and only ported to Linux. This may be
a gray area, but Linus considers such code not derived from Linux and
therefore exempt from restrictions of GPL.

If you write an RTAI module in kernel space, your work is clearly derived
from both RTAI and Linux, both of which are GPL. You would have no choice
then to release your kernel-level code with a GPL-compatible license.
User-space is not considered derived code from Linux and RTAI is LGPL in
user-space, therefore your user-space code could be proprietary. Also,
unless you live in the 70s, you should be aware by now that releasing your
code with an open license is generally beneficial to yourself, so it is
recommended to make your software open anyway.

On Thu, Mar 3, 2016 at 12:16 PM, Paolo Mantegazza <
[email protected]> wrote:

> You have to adhere to GPL for kernel space and LGPL for user space
> applications.
> I do not care much of what RTAI users do, but if your application is in
> kernel space it will become, de facto, infected by the kernel being GPL.
> Nevertheless, to my understanding, Linus Torvaldd allows binary only
> modules without asking for their code.
>
> Paolo
>
> On 03/03/2016 02:41 PM, Krunal Patel wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I am newbie for RTAI. I would like to use rtai on my ARM7 based board for
>> our one of real time application. Before we move further , I have one
>> quotation regarding licensing term for RTAI.
>>
>> If we developed our application using RTAI frame work patched on generic
>> Linux for our board , then do we need to make our code open for all or do I
>> need to open only RTAI patched linux code running for our board i.e no
>> application but Linux code with RTAI for ARM 7 ? Is there any commercial
>> license for RTAI ?
>>
>>
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