Microsoft Tech Specs Prohibit GPL Implementations

abartlet writes "As described in this Advogato entry, MS is trying to pull a swifty with their latest 'release' of their CIFS (the networked filesystem Samba implements) Technical Reference. The licence specifically prohibits any GPLed or (or LGPLed) program from implementing it, defining it as an 'IPR Impairing Licence'! Fortunately the CIFS community is about to release its own Technical Reference based on earlier MS documents and long experience in attempting to interoperate with the MS product." Microsoft's claim is completely ungrounded - nothing written by a third-party can take away Microsoft's intellectual property rights. But it makes a good (read: confusing to the general public) justification for preventing others from interoperating with their software.

Comments

Don't know about anyone else...

[Jouster]

...but I hit the "Rate this page" button and gave the license the lowest rating. What with all the /.'ing, betcha it becomes the lowest-rated page on M$'s site.

Jouster

P.S. Didja notice M$ lawyers actually managed to type "GPL" without their fingers burning off?

Re:Isn't this a bit like...

[Shiny Metal S.]

Instead of the GPL, just use the BSD license. That will let free software interoperate with Windows, allow you to get the documentation needed for the project, and keep MS off your back.

From the license:

1.4 "IPR Impairing License" shall mean the GNU General Public License, the GNU Lesser/Library General Public License, and any license that requires in any instance that other software distributed with software subject to such license (a) be disclosed and distributed in source code form; (b) be licensed for purposes of making derivative works; or (c) be redistributable at no charge.