IBM Has 'No Intention' of Using Patents Against Linux

Posted by michael on Thursday August 5, 2004 @02:05AM from the cross-my-heart-and-hope-to-die dept.

bendelo writes "In his keynote address on Wednesday at LinuxWorld, IBM Senior Vice President of Technology and Marketing Nick Donofrio assured the Linux nation his company would not assert its formidable patent portfolio against the Linux kernel and strongly advocated others to promise the same. This comes following an independent study by insurance firm OSRM who revealed this week that the Linux kernel might use up to 283 patented methods. This seems a smart move by the Big Blue to help counter the FUD going around." A zdnet.com.com story has a response from Bruce Perens, who basically says he wants to see it in writing. :)

1 of 278 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Re:Makes Sense by Wudbaer · 2004-08-05 02:16 · Score: 5, Interesting

Welcome to the real word. What IBM might say:

1. Contributed to the linux kernel

"When we contributed to feature A we didn't know someone implemented feature B violating our patent xyz thus damaging our vital business interests on the field of whatever.

2. Would look very silly and incongruent for going against something it uses to make money

There are more than enough examples of companies doing a 180 degree turn in their business strategy, IBM itself being a brilliant example.