CNET News Zone: Stephen Shankland
Two open original code leaders 2 days with Linux founder Linus Torvalds uniquely criticized software patents, set off a new wave of collaborative program design concept against Microsoft's argument. "Is the software patent useful? Obviously there is no role. Software patent is obviously a problem," Torvald is in the OSDL Linux Summit meeting in California Burlingame.
People who echo TorvalDS in group discussions include web server software Apache Co-founders Brian Behlendorf, Mozilla Foundation and Open Original Code Application Foundation (OSAF) Chairman MITCH Kapor.
Behlendorf pointed out that refuting the so-called software patent will encourage the best way to invest in investment arguments, that is, imagine a world without software patents.
"If the software algorithm or the idea cannot apply for a patent, how many money spending on the software will disappear? How many innovation will disappear? How many investments will disappear? I don't think any one will disappear,"
Recent incidents have attracted attention to the field of patents and open original code software. IBM has donated 500 patents for open original code software, and Shengyang also plans to liberate 1,600 patents for open original code version of Solaris operating systems. One of HP said in 2002 that Microsoft is brewing to open the original code opponent by patent attack, and the European Union is discussed for this matter.
In recent months, Microsoft is accelerating the patent lineup of the footsteps, anxious, once open the original code program designer or the user's confession, may be related to the relevant program design plan, this is a lack of financial or legal resources People are especially unfavorable. Some of an insurance industry worried about such an impact did a study that a highly cherished Linux program involved 283 patents.
However, the patent is an attack, retreating weapon. SCO Group accuses IBM, accusing the Blue Giant violates and the SCO-signed contract diameter self-movement of UNIX technology to Linux, IBM anti-control SCO infringement three patents.
The left and right hand of Torvalds Andrew Morton said that patent defense may play a role. "We will experience patent litigation threats later. I think IBM may be leading an anti-attack to help defend us," MORTON said when the discussion was interviewed.
Kapor is a big pull alarm, reminding everyone to prevent Microsoft to use their own patents to attack open original code software. He believes that tens of thousands of software patents should not be approved at all, but they have passed, and he regards these patents as large-scale destruction weapons.
"We must be aware of the patents as a large-scale devastating weapon. That will be the bottom line of Microsoft," Kapor said: "If you are forced to the corner of the wall, there is no way to retreat - because the original code is turned to be more economical The era of mainstream mode of software production, they can't stand the kind of business model, and Gu customer is a cheaper, stronger method, then you want to see the number of rigors that will make out - of course they will sacrifice Large-scale devastating weapons. "
Microsoft is not asserted in this article.
In terms of good ways, this may also have a good impact, allowing the mode of operation of software patents to change, Torvalds said.
"This is a good news that the original code community has been in the past five years. The good news is that many exclusive software companies have also begun to treat it as a problem," Torvalds said: "I hope that it may cause some kind of solution Measures, although it may take a long period of time. "
BEHLENDORF: "IBM donation is a good thing ... I hope more people respond."
Open Original Code Development Labs Linux Group Executive, General Stuart Cohen, believes that more people follow IBM practices. "We don't dare to have a lot of companies with the address, but we believe that if there are ten businesses to provide 2,000 patents, it is quite good.
