That's ok, I understand. The point is that, open source projects aren't prone to be sued, because there's no money, but big companies yes. That's the reason I don't mind so much, GPL almost automatically keep the "patent predators" away... :-)
2011/7/23 Frank Warmerdam <[email protected]>: > On Fri, Jul 22, 2011 at 11:02 AM, Duncan Lithgow > <[email protected]> wrote: >> Den 03/07/2011 18.29 skrev "Felipe Castro" <[email protected]>: >> >> I wouldn't mind. What is the problem to use an idea? Is it under some >> patent, anyway? >> If they failed to keep their "secrets", they... failed. > > Felipe, > > I disagree. If you manage to find a confidential document on the > web and build based on the information in it, you put the project > in a kind of jeopardy where folks won't feel safe using it for fear > of getting sued in the future. > >> If someone from ODA comes here and contributes, would someone argue >> about from where comes his knowledge? > > I believe real GNU projects require signed contribution agreements from all > contributors. I'm not sure if this applies to this project, but without out > it > you do run the risk of some sorts of contributions poisoning the well. So, > I would argue that yes, if someone from ODA wants to contribute it would > be wise of the project to get a commitment that they have the right to > contribute their changes, and that it is offered under the project > license. > > Failure to be cautious about matters such as these can limit the > reusability of the project. I don't know if that matters to you, but > it is of concern to me. > > Best regards, > > -- > ---------------------------------------+-------------------------------------- > I set the clouds in motion - turn up | Frank Warmerdam, [email protected] > light and sound - activate the windows | http://pobox.com/~warmerdam > and watch the world go round - Rush | Geospatial Software Developer > >
