Too bad. Heise News didn't understand it either. Webcam users wouldn't be left in the lurch if the module maintainer weren't acting like an offended crybaby and nurturing his poor ego. Because as a module outside the kernel, it would still be possible to offer support without problems (and if the hardware really is so widespread, distributions like Suse would certainly include it in the distribution kernel).
Nobody has a fixed right to be in the actual kernel source with their module. Often it doesn't even make sense - because some modules directly in kernel source aren't properly maintained and thus a constant source of trouble when kernel interfaces change.
And purely binary components of a kernel module are a security risk, since their function cannot be verified. And they directly contradict the GPL - that has nothing to do with overly pedantic interpretation. Binary kernel modules, or even just parts of them, are always a problem. And hooks that only serve to give such a component access to the kernel are not necessarily what I understand as secure kernel design...
At heise online news there's the original article.