Is the GPL all encompassing?

[Rjack]

> Assume I have the source code for the Linux 2.6 kernel. Suppose I
> want to use just a piece of it. How small a piece does it have to be
> before I'm no longer violating the GPL?

> What my question is really; "At what point does the source code take
> on a identifiable identity?" Its written in C (or at least a lot of
> it is). Most of the constructs for C are defined in the language. So
> you can't point to a specific subroutine or sort or whatever to say
> this is copyrighted or its not. My guess is that "prior art" would
> cover 95 to 99% of the "uniqueness" of any software product.
> Programmers borrow ideas and algorithms constantly.

http://community.zdnet.co.uk/blog/0,1000000567,10009357o-2000440676b,00.htm