Netfilter project: Settlement with Patrick McHardy

The netfilter project, which works on packet-filtering for the Linux kernel, has announced that it has reached a settlement (English translation) with Patrick McHardy that is "legally binding and it governs any legal enforcement activities" on netfilter programs and libraries as well as the kernel itself. McHardy has been employing questionable practices in doing GPL enforcement in Germany over the last six years or more. The practice has been called "copyright trolling" by some and is part of what led to the creation of The Principles of Community-Oriented GPL Enforcement.

This settlement establishes that any decision-making around netfilter-related enforcement activities should be based on a majority vote. Thus, each active coreteam member at the time of the enforcement request holds one right to vote. This settlement covers past and new enforcement, as well as the enforcement of contractual penalties related to past declarations to cease-and-desist.

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