IBM frees 500 patents [LWN.net]

IBM frees 500 patents

Posted Jan 11, 2005 19:20 UTC (Tue) by bk (guest, #25617)
In reply to: IBM frees 500 patents by XERC
Parent article: IBM frees 500 patents

I agree, for the most part. Software patents are a bad idea, regardless of IBM's actions (which I assume are revocable at any time).

It would be wise for projects to steer clear of any known patents, regardless of any "amnesty" offered. To do otherwise is to invite trouble down the line.

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IBM frees 500 patents

Posted Jan 11, 2005 20:15 UTC (Tue) by madscientist (subscriber, #16861) [Link]

> regardless of IBM's actions (which I assume are revocable at any time).

You should read IBM's release, or even Groklaw's review of it:

>> In order to foster innovation and avoid the possibility that a party
> will take advantage of this pledge and then assert patents or other
> intellectual property rights of its own against Open Source Software,
> thereby limiting the freedom of IBM or any other Open Source Software
> developer to create innovative software programs, the commitment not
> to assert any of these 500 U.S. patents and all counterparts of these
> patents issued in other countries is irrevocable except that IBM
> reserves the right to terminate this patent pledge and commitment only
> with regard to any party who files a lawsuit asserting patents or
> other intellectual property rights against Open Source Software.

FYI...