this post was submitted on 30 Aug 2023
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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/4244409

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[โ€“] JATtho@sopuli.xyz 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The shim module smuggles GPL-only kernel symbols into the non-GPL binary blob. Because the actual module using those symbols is not GPL compatible this violates the GPL license.

From Linus Torvalds mouth:

anybody who were to change a xyz_GPL to the non-GPL one in order to use it with a non-GPL module would almost immediately fall under the "willful infringement" thing, and that it would make it MUCH easier to get triple damages and/or injunctions, since they clearly knew about it.

In short, nvidia is playing with "please sue me" button.

I'll add that to the list of reasons to hate nvidia.

The sad part is they are almost a monopoly