Linux developers push for open drivers

Petition calls on companies to release code

Shaun Nichols in California, vnunet.com 24 Jun 2008

A group of 140 Linux developers has called on hardware vendors to open up their driver code.

Backed by the Linux Foundation, the developers signed an open letter addressed to all hardware vendors which have yet to release Linux drivers as open source software.

"We have repeatedly found them to be detrimental to Linux users, businesses and the greater Linux ecosystem," reads the letter.

"Such modules negate the openness, stability, flexibility and maintainability of the Linux development model, and shut their users off from the expertise of the Linux community."

The Linux Foundation said in a statement that closed source drivers ultimately harm the Linux community, which has long prided itself on the open source model in which the source code for a piece of software is open to the public.

As the Linux community has grown, however, the original open source developers have been forced to work with hardware developers that wish to keep driver code proprietary.

The group explained that, while most developers have released open source versions of their Linux drivers, a few holdouts remain.

"The kernel community wants to send a clear signal to these vendors as well as prevent any future vendors from following the closed source path and preventing their users from getting all the benefits of Linux's open development model," it said.

The petition echoed this sentiment, maintining that the use of closed source drivers is counterproductive.

"Vendors that provide closed source kernel modules force their customers to give up key Linux advantages or choose new vendors," read the letter.

"Therefore, in order to take full advantage of the cost savings and shared support benefits open source has to offer, we urge vendors to adopt a policy of supporting their customers on Linux with open source kernel code."

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