[bluGill]

users demand it. If the kernel devs pushed too hard legally a lot of users would switch to BSD (probably freebsd, but there are other good candidates). Linux is slightly better for desktop users, but if you cannot use your graphics hardware for legal reasons BSD will still work and is the lesser evil.

[shawnz]

So basically NVIDIA gets a monopoly on the ability to release non-GPL linux kernel modules so that Linux can have a better reputation among desktop users (which is only a small fraction of Linux use in the first place)?

I don't get it -- do they care more about what the users want, or about enforcing copyleft? If it's the latter, then they should be happy if those users who don't care about the GPL move to BSD. If it's the former then they should stop playing games and implement a fair policy for all non-GPL module authors.

[bluGill]

they is several thousand people with different motivations and desires. To expect them all to have a common motive would be a mistake.

[shawnz]

People not associated with the leadership of the project shouldn't be making decisions about what licensing models are acceptable or not in the first place.