Re: [pgsql-www] Software Patents

> >>I also strongly feel that the PostgreSQL community should express
> >>their opinion freely. Speculations on what opinions a sponsor might or
> >>might not have should really have no significance at all.

Yes, I agree.

I think that if we have sponsors like the one we have, they are surely aware
that PG is an OSS project...

So I think they understand what that means: it has to remain free and
independant.

If we begin like thinking we cannot do that or say this, *because* it may hurt
these supporter or this other one, yet we aren't that free.

I know many people here work for those supporters. I understand their point of
view.

But we have to think like an Open Source project, any other idea should be
rejected imho. We should be thinking of what we all agree on and not "what if"
we agree.

> >Expecting the PostgreSQL project to "have an opinion" when it's not an
> >individual is a bit silly.

An OSS project is composed of individuals :-) We could play hours on words :-)
Why don't we proceed to a vote ? Let's see what democracy in action does.

> What I meant was that we as a group must be able to agree on public
> statements without involving ourselves in speculations concerning
> sponsor opinions.

I totaly rejoin you on that point, as said just before.

> Silly me. I thought that was plain obvious in this context.

Seems not for anyone.

Just to add little thing, I searched a bit about software patents on databases.
There are *tons* on this topic. Most of them are trivial and insipid like many
here wrote already.

My analyze is that when software-patent war will begin, only big companies will
remain on the scene. Just because little companies, even those who have already
software patents, can not afford all the lawyers they need to face a big company
that has lots of and all the justice costs...

As an OSS project, we're just the same as a little company. Who will pay
lawyers to us ? That's the main threat in my opinion. Do you really think well
know RDMBS companies won't try to kill our project ? How will we face M$ *and*
Oracle (be sure they'll join their efforts, to reduce their costs) ?

I really imagine that the future will be like the cold had been, with nuclear
weapons: software patents will be the guarantee for big companies that no one
will start the war because potentialy all actors will loose.

We haven't got any dissuasive weapon afaik to face that.

Best Regards,

--
Jean-Paul ARGUDO
www.PostgreSQLFr.org
Trésorier de PostgreSQLFr
OpenPGP : 1024D/93A41CA4