Re: Compatibility of Nvidia NVNET driver license with GPL

[Jeff Garzik <jgarzik _at_ xxxxxxxxx>]

On Wed, Dec 31, 2003 at 09:11:01PM -0800, Paul Jackson wrote:
> nVidia's _video_ drivers are mostly proprietary code that is not
> specific to Linux.  They provide a GPL wrapper or shim that, apparently
> in the view of their lawyers, insulates their proprietary code from GPL
> license terms.
> 
> Perhaps their network software is done the same way?

It's a fair argument that nVidia has significant IP in their video
drivers...  I understand that's where they get a fair amount of their
speed.

For a network driver, nVidia will have a really tough time convincing me
there is useful IP in their NIC driver, or the NIC itself :)  There are
much more advanced NICs out there (with public docs, no less)...

	Jeff



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