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Hmmmm... So does that mean that if you write a linux driver for your special Gigabit Ethernet card, you can't charge for it? <br />
<br />
steva<br />
<br />

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Hmmmm... So does that mean that if you write a linux driver for your special Gigabit Ethernet card, you can't charge for it?

steva



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No, I think drivers are ok, not being part of the kernal.
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No, I think drivers are ok, not being part of the kernal.

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How does Linux allow for the addition of patented or proprietary technology? Suppose, e.g., someone had network technology that doubled Linux bandwidth. Would it be possible to offer the technology for a fee without publishing the source code back to Linux. <br />
<br />
Thanks for any thoughts.<br />
<br />
steva
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How does Linux allow for the addition of patented or proprietary technology? Suppose, e.g., someone had network technology that doubled Linux bandwidth. Would it be possible to offer the technology for a fee without publishing the source code back to Linux. 

Thanks for any thoughts.

steva

Adding proprietary technology to Linux

Linux is a UNIX-like open source operating system with hundreds of distinct distributions, including: Fedora, openSUSE, Ubuntu, Debian, Slackware, Gentoo, CentOS, and Arch Linux. Linux is generally associated with web and database servers, but has become popular in many niche industries and applications.

Linux

A Linux distribution is an operating system made as a software collection based on the Linux kernel and, often, on a package management system and are available for a variety of systems. A typical Linux distribution comprises a Linux kernel, GNU tools and libraries, additional software, documentation, a window system (the most common being the X Window System), a window manager, and a desktop environment. Most Linux systems are open-source software made available both as compiled binaries and in source code form, allowing modifications to the original software. Over three hundred distributions are in active development, including commercially backed distributions (such as Fedora, openSUSE and Ubuntu) and community-driven distributions (such as Debian, Slackware, Gentoo and Arch Linux).