Re: patent on O_ATOMICLOOKUP [Re: [PATCH] loopable tmpfs (2.4.17)]

[Larry McVoy <lm@bitmover.com>]

On Sat, May 25, 2002 at 01:59:10AM -0600, Thunder from the hill wrote:
> I think the point he's tryin' to make is somewhere else than that. There 
> are lots of companies running embedded devices (oh yes, I can tell ;-), 
> and as long as it is a) not clear and/or b) impossible by license to use 
> real time linux w/their licenses, they won't.
> 
> Embedded and real time devices are "The Future" for lots of companies. And 
> of course they're going to want to sell it. Currently, they have three 
> ways:
> 
> 1. They try RTAI and don't have any licensing problems, but they are very 
>    unsure about it, since certain people keep telling that RTAI is crap
> 
> 2. They get used to RTLinux, where they are altogether forced to use 
>    either GPL or their license. This isn't exactly a way of choice.
> 
> 3. They go buy another real time os implementation.

4.  Contact FSMlabs, ask about licensing costs, compare to #3 and go with
    #4 if it makes sense.

If we were hearing about lots of companies who want to use RT/Linux
and have choosen not to do so because of the licensing, there might be
cause for concern.  I'm sure there are companies who have choosen to
skip RT/Linux once they realized it wasn't free, that's too bad, but
not the end of the world.  In the long run, it's probably good because
somebody has to emerge with a business model which will allow them to
make enough money to support the RT stuff.  
-- 
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Larry McVoy            	 lm at bitmover.com           http://www.bitmover.com/lm