[$] Questioning EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL()
There have been arguments about the legality of binary-only kernel modules
for almost as long as the kernel has had loadable module support. One of
the key
factors in this disagreement is the EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL() directive,
which is intended to keep certain kernel functions out of the reach of
proprietary modules. A recent discussion about the merging of a proposed
new kernel subsystem has revived some questions about the meaning and value
of EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL() — and whether it is worth bothering with at
all.