======Linux Foundation Driver Statement======
=====Linux Foundation's Statement on Closed Source Drivers=====

The Linux Foundation recommends that hardware manufacturers provide open source kernel modules.  The open source nature of Linux is intrinsic to its success.  We encourage manufacturers to work with the kernel community to provide open source kernel modules in order to enable their users and themselves to take advantage of the considerable benefits that Linux makes possible. We agree with the Linux kernel developers that vendors who provide closed-source kernel modules force their customers to give up these key Linux advantages. We urge all vendors to adopt a policy of supporting their customers on Linux with open-source kernel modules.

====Background Materials====


  * The Linux Foundation Whitepaper on the [[:tab:linux-device-driver-model|Linux Device Driver Model]]
  * The Linux Foundation's Technical Advisory Board's [[:tab:driver-qa|Q&A]] on issues pertaining to this statement
  * An essay "[[:tab:linux-graphics-essay|Linux Graphics: A Tale of Three Drivers]]" by Technical Advisory Board chair James Bottomley