Re: About adding the new kernel

[Jeff Johnston <jjohnstn at redhat dot com>]

On 12/02/10 02:44 AM, Qiang Wang wrote:
> hello,Mr. Jeff Johnston
>     I use newlib for about 5years, and it is a very good library.
>     I just want to confirm if the newlib can add the new GPL RTOS
> support which is well used in China and use the customized newlib
> libraries.
>
>    Thank you very much.
>
> best regards
> Wang Qiang

Assuming you are talking about an RTOS that is GPL-licensed as opposed 
to an RTOS named GPL, newlib does not accept GPL-licensed code.  The 
LGPL license is ok as long as the code is separated from the shared 
newlib code (i.e. is in its own directory or directories and is only 
built under specific configurations).  For example, some x86-linux code 
is under the LGPL license.  This code is in the libc/sys/linux directory 
and is not built unless one specifies, for example, i686-pc-linux-gnu as 
the configuration target.

An RTOS can use newlib and license itself however it wants.  For 
example, the RTEMS RTOS uses newlib.  RTEMS only adds a little code to 
newlib with the code checked in adhering to newlib licensing.

I hope that answers your question.

Regards,

-- Jeff J.