Why Consider Linux Kernel Patent Risks?

chromatic writes "After the hoopla about OSRM's study of patent risks in the Linux kernel, I talked to Dan Ravicher, the patent attorney and free software afficionado who conducted the study. Contrary to my initial reaction, I've come to believe that the study is actually very valuable. Linux and Patent Risks on the O'Reilly Network explains why."

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Linus and patents

[blogtim]

Linux founder and leader Linus Torvalds has taken that approach. "Finding patent infringement has always been a responsibility of the patent holders," he said in a 2003 interview. "It is a fact that I do not encourage engineers to look up patent information

Actually, I read an article in Wired maybe a year ago quoting Torvalds as saying that he personally avoids looking at patents because willful violation leads to triple damages. Better just to close your eyes and do whatever...