Using the Linux kernel in a commercial product [closed]

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I've researched on the internet about GPL licensing and if it is possible to use the kernel in a commercial product, however, I always come across conflicting information.

Say I have an embedded system that that runs the kernel, and on top of that runs the embedded software that is written by me. Am I allowed to then sell the product to customers without then giving them the source code for the software I have written? For example, trade secrets, commercial viability, someone else then using my code to produce a similar product etc.

Answer 1

If your software runs on top of the kernel, then I suggest you read the license of the kernel:

NOTE! This copyright does not cover user programs that use kernel services by normal system calls – this is merely considered normal use of the kernel, and does not fall under the heading of "derived work".