Luis Chamberlain sent out the modules changes today for the Linux 6.6 merge window. Most notable with the modules update is a change that better builds up the defenses against NVIDIA’s proprietary kernel driver from using GPL-only symbols. Or in other words, bits that only true open-source drivers should be utilizing and not proprietary kernel drivers like NVIDIA’s default Linux driver in respecting the original kernel code author’s intent.

Back in 2020 when the original defense was added, NVIDIA recommended avoiding the Linux 5.9 for the time being. They ended up having a supported driver several weeks later. It will be interesting to see this time how long Linux 6.6+ thwarts their kernel driver.

  • 520@kbin.social
    90·
    10 months ago

    Then isn’t the correct solution to sue Nvidia?

    It’s a legal issue with a legal solution.

    • Zardoz@lemmy.world
      83·
      10 months ago

      Yeah probably, but Nvidia can afford lawyers and delays for years. Much longer than any oss group could afford

    • cobra89@beehaw.org
      30·
      10 months ago

      So you want the company that licensed the patents to the Linux kernel for open source use to have to sue Nvidia for wrongly using their code? You want the company to have to spend a bunch of money suing Nvidia and possibly lose which would open the flood gates to more closed source code leeching off the Linux kernel?

      Yeah that’s going to make them want to keep licensing their IP to the Linux Foundation (which they’re probably doing for free).

      Or the maintainers can just submit a fairly simple patch to ensure that the kernel and the patents are being respected. Do you really think the first approach is the way to go?

      • 520@kbin.social
        10·
        10 months ago

        Neither is having your copyright infringed. Neither is wasting volunteer manpower playing a technical game of cat and mouse