Re: [pgsql-www] Software Patents

Josh Berkus wrote:
> Marc,
>
> > But, as a community it doesn't affect us either, since we don't include
> > patent'd software, and if we are made aware of a patent related issue, we
> > work to remove it
> > Unless I'm missing something?
>
> Yep. We all spent a couple weeks discussing the ARC patent. Tom spent
> several days coding a workaround.
>
> Now imagine if someone were to hit us with a patent claim every week. Would
> we get any development done? Would any commercial user be willing to use our
> software without indemnity if they were getting served every month (or even
> once)?
>
> That's the threat that software patents hold for OSS.

Yep, that is the big open issue. What if a patent hits that we can't
easily work around? We could be crippled.

But, that is my personal opinion. I don't think that should be codified
in our web site.

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