If they didn't provide source code for you to use, then it's not porting, but it's reverse engineering.

However, I wouldn't discourage you. If manufacturers are annoyed by the fact that people reverse engineer their Windows drivers, which shouldn't be necessary, in order to support the product under LINUX or whatever, perhaps they'll simply provide the necessary support in the future.

Be sure to make your successful effort as widely publicized as possible, so others can use it too. In the future, perhaps that vendor will at least offer to allow you to use the source code under a binding nondisclosure agreement in exchange for the right to distribute your work product ... with appropriate credit, of course.

One other thing I'd recommend, is not to purchase the cheapest available if the OS you need to use is not supported. Make support of the OS you need to use a condition of your purchase. If they don't support your OS, then you shouldn't buy their product.

RE