1 .. _process_statement_driver:
3 Kernel Driver Statement
4 -----------------------
6 Position Statement on Linux Kernel Modules
7 ==========================================
10 We, the undersigned Linux kernel developers, consider any closed-source
11 Linux kernel module or driver to be harmful and undesirable. We have
12 repeatedly found them to be detrimental to Linux users, businesses, and
13 the greater Linux ecosystem. Such modules negate the openness,
14 stability, flexibility, and maintainability of the Linux development
15 model and shut their users off from the expertise of the Linux
16 community. Vendors that provide closed-source kernel modules force their
17 customers to give up key Linux advantages or choose new vendors.
18 Therefore, in order to take full advantage of the cost savings and
19 shared support benefits open source has to offer, we urge vendors to
20 adopt a policy of supporting their customers on Linux with open-source
23 We speak only for ourselves, and not for any company we might work for
24 today, have in the past, or will in the future.
47 - Luiz Fernando N. Capitulino
48 - Mauro Carvalho Chehab
57 - Arnaldo Carvalho de Melo
61 - Sven-Thorsten Dietrich
88 - Benjamin Herrenschmidt
90 - Henrique de Moraes Holschuh
140 - Venkatesh Pallipadi
167 - Alexey Starikovskiy
202 - Bartlomiej Zolnierkiewicz