Re: [pgsql-advocacy] Software Patents

> -----Original Message-----
> From: pgsql-www-owner(at)postgresql(dot)org
> [mailto:pgsql-www-owner(at)postgresql(dot)org] On Behalf Of Neil Conway
> Sent: 22 April 2005 09:07
> To: Chris Travers
> Cc: Joshua D. Drake; Bruce Momjian; Josh Berkus;
> pgsql-www(at)postgresql(dot)org; pgsql-advocacy(at)postgresql(dot)org
> Subject: Re: [pgsql-www] [pgsql-advocacy] Software Patents
>
> Chris Travers wrote:
> > Stating that the PostgreSQL community has no position on software
> > patents is not quite accurate.
>
> I think this it's true. Members of the community have various
> opinions,
> but AFAIK the project as a whole does not.
>
> > Changing the caching algorythm in the middle of a stable branch
> > (which would otherwise only contain bug fixes) over patent concerns
> > sends a very loud message
>
> Yes, and that message is "PostgreSQL will try to avoid infringing on
> patents.", or at least will work around the problem when it
> is brought
> to our attention. I don't see that it can be interpreted as
> opposition
> to software patents per se.

Agreed. I'm also slightly concerned about how sponsoring companies such
as Fujitsu might look upon us taking a much harder anti-patent stance.
Cheesing them off would not be good...

Regards, Dave