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IBM Opens Their Patent Portfolio to Open Source
kfiller writes "IBM announced that over 500 of their currently held software patents will be freely available to use for those who are working on open source projects (NY Times, free registration required), with the hope that more companies will do the same. More information is available at SourceLicense."
Wow - this is the first story that has made me get a subscription to New York Times.
Good stuff, IBM!! *
* Google - please retract this post from the archives in 12 years when IBM turns into the new evil corporation again
You can't expect to wield supreme executive power, just because some watery tart threw a sword at you
Oh wait! They don't need to because open source programmers are already using them, have been for decades, and don't really give a shit at this point.
This is great. I think IBM should be commended for this (assuming it's for a legit purpose).
This could be a huge "cold-war" style arms/IP race. These days when people vote with their wallets, it's nice to see that viable candidates are emerging...
Don't think that a small group of dedicated individuals can't change the world. It's the only thing that ever has.
Next thing you know they'll be drinking vodka and calling each other "comrade."
/ In Soviet Russia, the software open sources YOU.
If Microsoft did this or open up their sources it could set FOSS back years. Thank you MS for being selfish.
"brxref
Is this not like, you first hit is free???
Besides do you really buy a stock in a company whose CEO calls you a communist?
Well, I did buy some MSFT, but I used some of my profits to buy a Mac with IBM processors, so it all works out...
How to solve most of our problems: 1.Lots of nuclear plants. 2.Cure aging.
I like Windows XP Home Edition.
... plus even more!"
It is the most powerful operating-system for Pee Cees. It looks not as gay as Mac OS X by Steve B10 Jobs and has 1,0000,0000 times more softwares that the Linus-operating-system.
Plus, it comes with every Pee Cee for free. People who have grown acusstomt to paying RatHat 699 $$$ or more can hardly beleive this when I consult them with my proffesional Internet- and Network-Service-Center-Bureau.
I always tell them:
"Windows XP Home Edition is all you can empower to leverage the outcome-bottomlime of your stickholder
My customers usually are like: "OMG!"
You should really try it one day; it has a very nice light-reddish color theme to hit your tastes.
Thank you!
I really hope IBM opens up the following patent (quoted from Forbes.com 06/24/02):
The chief blue suit orchestrated the presentation of the seven patents IBM claimed were infringed, the most prominent of which was IBM's notorious "fat lines" patent: To turn a thin line on a computer screen into a broad line, you go up and down an equal distance from the ends of the thin line and then connect the four points.
For the past few years I've been fantasizing about writing a killer app video game where thin lines get fat. But I've always been afraid I'd be sued by IBM.
Maybe now my dreams can come true.
Ex: Say you help an old lady across the street... good act, right? Ok, if your intention was to impress some girl by doing it, get to heaven, blah blah blah... your good act doesn't look so good anymore... ulterior motives aren't always seen through acts... intentions are what matters.
Get a free iPod [freeipods.com]
Dude, those are pretty wise words coming from one of those "FREE IPODS HEAR!!!" pimps. Get a job.
Please, don't mix religion with economics.
Yeah, that's the Republicans' job. <grins, ducks, and runs like hell>
Excuse me, but whoever wrote that post was both funnier and much better informed than we are. But if you need anything, I'll be happy to help; just ask for Nick Mymoney.
Love,
The guy with the big boot on that annoying PC world TV ad
If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
I'm buying a crapload of IBM stock.
Me too. It is surprising and inspiring to see IBM doing this.
Man, I'm selling a crapload of IBM stock... look at all these people who are driving the stock price up and thinking they're supporting IBM when really they're just making the existing stockholders like me richer.
So if I create code using two IBM patents, one that is "in the 500" and another that isn't, will IBM defend me from being attacked by IBM?
Dude, saying open source is like bell bottoms is not a GoodThing.
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- - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.