this post was submitted on 14 May 2026
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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Not if they're kernel modules, written from scratch, afaik
That's not how it works. Kernel modules are part of the kernel and need to adhere to its license, which is GPLv2.
Of my saturdaymorning brain understands this correctly you might in fact be right https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#GPLStaticVsDynamic
Edit: however: https://www.reddit.com/r/linuxquestions/comments/1hdwm04/comment/m1zmt9d/ and https://docs.kernel.org/process/license-rules.html#id1
So I feel like this is definitely still possible and 'legal' depending on the implementation. Nvidia and AMD have done it for years.
IANAL though :p