In the case of Linux, Linus has a public position [1] that:<p>* A kernel module is <i>run</i> by the kernel, not <i>incorporated</i> in it,<p>* A kernel module only uses <i>LGPL</i> interfaces, so full GPL compliance shouldn&#x27;t be necessary,<p>* Binary modules should be legal (though he doesn&#x27;t like them), and<p>* Projects (like filesystems developed for other platforms) with their own life outside of Linux shouldn&#x27;t be required to re-license if they clearly weren&#x27;t based on Linux.<p>I know Linus doesn&#x27;t represent all kernel developers, but his opinion should carry a lot of weight.<p>The SFConservancy is just practicing GPL overreach here, and is rattling a saber in hopes that Oracle blinks. Ubuntu has been distributing NVidia binary kernel modules for years and this hasn&#x27;t resulted in a lawsuit, so it seems like an empty threat.<p>[1] <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;linuxmafia.com&#x2F;faq&#x2F;Kernel&#x2F;proprietary-kernel-modules.html" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;linuxmafia.com&#x2F;faq&#x2F;Kernel&#x2F;proprietary-kernel-modules....</a>