Re: Sorry, read this one: Re: SELinux Dumb Questions

[Tom <tom@lemuria.org>]

On Wed, Jun 05, 2002 at 12:12:24AM +0200, Russell Coker wrote:
> Yes.  Unless of course they claim that they didn't GPL it, or that the GPL 
> only covers the code not the patent.

The GPL has a couple of things to say about patents on GPL software,
the main point being:

"[...] If you cannot distribute so as to satisfy simultaneously your 
obligations under this License and any other pertinent obligations, then 
as a consequence you may not distribute the Program at all. For example, 
if a patent license would not permit royalty-free redistribution of the 
Program by all those who receive copies directly or indirectly through 
you, then the only way you could satisfy both it and this License would 
be to refrain entirely from distribution of the Program."


In short: If this patent is intended to be enforced, even selectively
(*especially* selectively), then distribution of SELinux just died.


I, too, have had plans to use SELinux commercially, but I'd rather
write cobol software on VMS than support software patents.


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