Re: How can we submit code patches that implement our (pending) patents?

From: Nico Williams <nico(at)cryptonector(dot)com>
To: Robert Haas <robertmhaas(at)gmail(dot)com>
Cc: David Fetter <david(at)fetter(dot)org>, "Tsunakawa, Takayuki" <tsunakawa(dot)takay(at)jp(dot)fujitsu(dot)com>, Bruce Momjian <bruce(at)momjian(dot)us>, Andres Freund <andres(at)anarazel(dot)de>, Craig Ringer <craig(at)2ndquadrant(dot)com>, "pgsql-hackers(at)lists(dot)postgresql(dot)org" <pgsql-hackers(at)lists(dot)postgresql(dot)org>
Subject: Re: How can we submit code patches that implement our (pending) patents?
Date: 2018-07-27 16:02:27
Message-ID: 20180727160226.GR5695@localhost
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On Fri, Jul 27, 2018 at 09:30:45AM -0400, Robert Haas wrote:
> If you think that the lack of a CLA and a patent grant never causes
> extensive conversations with legal, I am quite certain that you are
> incorrect. I know of multiple instances where this has been a
> concern.
>
> Other open source projects even more prominent and successful than
> PostgreSQL have done these things. [...]

FWIW, some have done it poorly. I had trouble getting an employer to
sign the Oracle contributor agreement, for example, because the OCA did
not allow the employer to specify who could make the contribution (only
who the director is who signs the OCA) and also did not allow the
employer to narrow the scope of contributions to those relevant to the
OpenJDK.

I also recommend adding to the PG code of conduct text requiring
disclosure of relevant patent rights that the contributor knows about.

Nico
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