This is the kind of thing that could hurt Linux in the long term. If Linux bans non-GPL kernel modules, what of the NVidia drivers? I think most of the GPU compute code out in the world runs on NVidia GPUs. If NVidia starts pushing a BSD distro as the distro for high performance GPU computing so it would not have to deal with type of hassle, it might really change things.
Also, this is coming on the heels of the big glibc vulnerability. BSD with its greater emphasis on security and less ideologicallyy driven licensing might start to look more interesting to large corporations.
More accurately, some people think it is a GPL violation.
There is no clear cut answer. You can get legal "opinions" either way.
My personal view is that it is NOT a GPL violation.
This is implied for reading the Linux source code, which explicitly allows for non GPL kernel modules.
So my understanding is that almost all mobile makers using Android are also in the violation of GPL, since they ship blobs to support their hardware. Right?
From what I see, this is just SFC trying to leverage Oracle to change it's licence manipulating public opinion because ZFS is something the "public" wants.
Also, this is coming on the heels of the big glibc vulnerability. BSD with its greater emphasis on security and less ideologicallyy driven licensing might start to look more interesting to large corporations.