From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 Return-Path: Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org via listexpand id S264508AbUAMPfY (ORCPT ); Tue, 13 Jan 2004 10:35:24 -0500 Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org id S264586AbUAMPfY (ORCPT ); Tue, 13 Jan 2004 10:35:24 -0500 Received: from virt-216-40-198-21.ev1servers.net ([216.40.198.21]:27143 "EHLO virt-216-40-198-21.ev1servers.net") by vger.kernel.org with ESMTP id S264508AbUAMPfS (ORCPT ); Tue, 13 Jan 2004 10:35:18 -0500 Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 09:35:07 -0600 From: Chuck Campbell To: Pavel Machek Cc: Jamie Lokier , Arjan van de Ven , Lennert Buytenhek , linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org Subject: Re: [OT] use of patented algorithms in the kernel ok or not? Message-ID: <20040113153507.GG14044@helium.inexs.com> Reply-To: campbell@accelinc.com Mail-Followup-To: Chuck Campbell , Pavel Machek , Jamie Lokier , Arjan van de Ven , Lennert Buytenhek , linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org References: <20031218231137.GA13652@gnu.org> <1071823624.5223.1.camel@laptop.fenrus.com> <20031221103308.GB3438@mail.shareable.org> <20031221165755.GB12866@openzaurus.ucw.cz> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline In-Reply-To: <20031221165755.GB12866@openzaurus.ucw.cz> User-Agent: Mutt/1.4.1i Sender: linux-kernel-owner@vger.kernel.org X-Mailing-List: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org On Sun, Dec 21, 2003 at 11:57:55AM -0500, Pavel Machek wrote: > Hi! > > > I know that equivalent code, which is covered by most if not all of > > the patents, is sold by some software companies to product developers > > _in the USA_ without prelicensed patents. The problem of acquiring > > suitable patent licenses is left to the purchasers. > > > > Rationally I would expect that if someone is able to sell code and > > leave the problem of patent licensing to the purchaser, then one > > should be able to _give away_ code and leave the problem of patent > > licensing to the recipient. > > As far as I can see, it is okay to ignore patents *if > you are doing research*. So you should be able to offer > it to US people for research purposes. Pavel, According to recently passed legislation, this may no longer be true. It remains to be tested, but my understanding is that this "research" shield is now gone. -chuck --