Re: large page patch (fwd) (fwd)

Alexander Viro
2002-08-13T17:43:13Z

On Tue, 13 Aug 2002, Rik van Riel wrote:

> Suppose somebody sends you a patch which implements a nice
> algorithm that just happens to be patented by that same
> somebody. You don't know about the patent.
>
> You integrate the patch into the kernel and distribute it,
> one year later you get sued by the original contributor of
> that patch because you distribute code that is patented by
> that person.
>
> Not having some protection in the license could open you
> up to sneaky after-the-fact problems.

Accepting non-trivial patches from malicious source means running code
from malicious source on your boxen. In kernel mode. And in that case
patents are the least of your troubles...