On Thu, May 13, 2004 at 10:30:03AM +0100, MJ Ray wrote: > This seems rather worse than being mute about patents, putting IBM in > a position of strength if software patents are involved.
I don't think I agree. At least, not yet. In reading over this license, I see a number of clauses designed to nullify the effect of patent litigation on the freeness of the software. I see nothing which would make patent claims valid which would not otherwise be valid. For example, if IBM begins initiates some patent litigation, it looks like the license still stands -- even if that litigation winds up nullifying the patent in question. [If the courts uphold the patent, that's a different problem, but one outside our scope -- if the result of some patent litigation makes us have to treat some previous free software as non-free or non-distributable, that would be a problem, but as a general rule, patent issues are far too complex take pre-emptive action on.] >From my point of view, it looks like this license was written properly. Have I overlooked something? Thanks, -- Raul