On Fri, Jul 30, 2004 at 07:39:25PM -0400, James K. Lowden wrote:
> > possible to consider porting the linux drivers to the netbsd?
> 
> Generally, no.  As a legal matter, most Linux drivers are GPL.  If they
> were compiled in to a NetBSD kernel, the binary would be covered by the
> GPL.  The NetBSD project is philosophically opposed to that outcome.  
> 
> As a technical matter, Linux network drivers live in a very different
> framework from what NetBSD offers.  At best, the hardware interface code
> could supply clues to what a NetBSD driver would need to do.  
> 
> That said, if such a driver existed and worked, and you were prepared to
> compile (and not distribute) your own kernel, then you'd be in luck.  :-)
> 

assuming register definitions from Linux driver were used? Where does that
put the resulting work(regarding GPL, BSD and all the licencing thing)?

drivers: getting Linux driver to "just work" with NetBSD is not possible :).
Porting will result in a rewrite.

Regards
Milos