[TrevorFancher]

> I don't know why GPU manufacturers are so paranoid.

I've read the reason for the paranoia around GPU drivers has something to do with modern GPUs needing so much controlling software in the driver that the competition could glean details of the hardware design from the driver source code.

I'm unable to find the source of this information. Can anyone privy to these sorts of details confirm or deny this?

[angusgr]

Well, I didn't even mean source code (although that would be great.) It's hard enough just to find binary GL blobs that you're legally allowed to pass around.

With respect to the source code, I suspect you're right - and I'd also suspect FUD around the possibility of patent issues when other people can see more of how things are implemented. But IANAL or a GPU manufacturer so I'm just guessing.