Software and devUpdated November 9
Synaptics sends Vino’s developer a legal notice.
Vino was an experimental, open-source Linux driver project, not a finished driver. Its RFC described an in-kernel Rust driver for DisplayLink DL3 USB docks, deliberately incomplete and still seeking help with a blocker. It was intended as a native replacement for the out-of-tree EVDI module and proprietary DisplayLinkManager daemon. Tom’s Hardware reports that Synaptics sent developer Mike Lothian a cease-and-desist notice; the report’s headline also says the company dared him to publicize the threats. In an October 14 response, Lothian acknowledged receiving a letter from Synaptics’ lawyers and copies of two patents. He rejected Synaptics’ claim that his work infringed them and argued the patents were invalid. That’s a sharp turn for a project whose own RFC was still asking for help.
Coverage started November 9