licensing question for FreeRTOS v8.2.0

Kernel
1

jellyman1978 wrote on Monday, July 08, 2019:

Hi,
I am using FreeRTOS v8.2.0 (modified GPL license).
I invoke some platform dependent API (HAL API) in FreeRTOS porting layer.
and the implementation of HAP API is not placed under FreeRTOS folder.
for most case, these HAP API are used by upper layer middleware.

will these HAP API infected by GPL? do I need to open HAP source code?

could someone advice?

thanks
Ken

2

rtel wrote on Monday, July 08, 2019:

The code is GPL with an exception - not vanilla GPL - so unless you are
updating the kernel code itself you code is never ‘infected’ with GPL as
the exception text applies. The latest code is MIT licensed.

3

jellyman1978 wrote on Monday, July 08, 2019:

4

jellyman1978 wrote on Monday, July 08, 2019:

5

jellyman1978 wrote on Monday, July 08, 2019:

Hi Richard,
could you tell more about “vanilla GPL” (what is it)?
and for my case, I don’t need to open HAL source and can keep it as my original license, is it?

thanks
Ken

6

rtel wrote on Monday, July 08, 2019:

By ‘vanilla’ I was referring to the unmodified GPL text as published by
the Free Software Foundation. Apologies for not being clear.

Older versions of the FreeRTOS kernel used a modified version of the GPL
as it included exception text that enables users to keep their own code
that just links to the kernel under the ‘license terms of their choice’
(quoting from the exception text).