Re: large page patch (fwd) (fwd)

bill davidsen
2002-08-22T12:06:12Z

In article <Pine.LNX.4.44L.0208131425500.23404-100000@imladris.surriel.com>,
Rik van Riel <riel@conectiva.com.br> 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.
|
| Having a license that explicitly states that people who
| contribute and use Linux shouldn't sue you over it might
| prevent some problems.

Unlikely as this is, since offering the patch would probably be
(eventually) interpreted as giving you the right to use it under GPL, I
think this is a valid concern.

Maybe some lawyer could add the required words and it could become the
LFSL v1.0 (Linux Free Software License). Although FSF would probably buy
into a change if the alternative was creation of a Linux license. There
are people there who are in touch with reality.
--
bill davidsen <davidsen@tmr.com>
CTO, TMR Associates, Inc
Doing interesting things with little computers since 1979.