[Savannah-hackers] [support #102655] Possible patent violation : implementation of patent submitted interfaces

[James Michael DuPont]

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[support #102655] Full Item Snapshot:

URL: <http://savannah.gnu.org/support/?func=detailitem&item_id=102655>
Project: Savannah
Submitted by: James Michael DuPont
On: Wed 12/03/03 at 14:25

Category:  Hosted Projects Download Area
Priority:  5 - Normal
Severity:  5 - Average
Resolution:  None
Assigned to:  None
Originator Email:  
Status:  Open


Summary:  Possible patent violation : implementation of patent submitted 
interfaces

Original Submission:  In this cvs repository are interfaces that are coverted 
by patent applications from microsoft.

http://savannah.gnu.org/cgi-bin/viewcvs/dotgnu-pnet/pnetlib/System.Windows.Forms/



I think that they should be removed from the main cvs, because their licensing 
is not GPL compatible and it is questionable if they will have to be removed 
when the patent is approved. For that reason it is unfair that users and 
contributors are mislead in thinking they are contributing to a gpled and free 
software. 



The implementing of patented software is against the guidelines of the gnu 
project.



Therefore i request that the patent endangerd software be split off into a 
separate project on savannah or removed from savannah in total. If it is kept, 
it is needed to make a new license for it, that explicitly states the danger of 
contributing to that and warning the user that all work might be invalidated in 
the future.



That is the only fair thing for you to do



mike











For detailed info, follow this link:
<http://savannah.gnu.org/support/?func=detailitem&item_id=102655>

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