[arch-general] Patent protection

[Ionuț Bîru]

On 12/08/2010 11:47 PM, Armando M. Baratti wrote:
> Probably many of you know about the acquisition of 882 of Novell's
> patents by a Microsoft organized consortium [1].
>
> What you may not know is that, as Novell was part of OIN (Open Invention
> Network), those that join OIN *before* the closing date for the
> acquisition (about january 23) will be protected from any harassment
> regarding these patents.
> This [2] Groklaw's article explains it in more detail.
>
> It works because the patents are granted perpetually to OIN members that
> have jointed before the closing date, even in the case of a sell (like
> occurred in this case).
>
> You don't need to have patents or be a company to join (for free) OIN.
> Any project (like Arch Linux), or even an individual can do it.
>
> I understand that *if* MS will use them, it'll be with the big guys (or
> at least some company). Probably they will prefer to use the patents
> just for FUD.
>
> But OTOH we have nothing to loose (not even patents :-), and it's free.
>
>
>
> [1]
> http://www.consortiuminfo.org/standardsblog/article.php?story=20101124103213556
>
>
> [2] http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20101206205654916
>
> Armando

stop spreading FUD

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