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Nokia Announces Patent Support to the Linux Kernel

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the lets-see-where-this-goes dept.

Mictian writes "In conjunction with the introduction of Nokia's Linux Handheld mentioned earlier today, Nokia Corporation announced today that it allows all its patents to be used in the further development of the Linux Kernel. Nokia says, that it believes that open source software communities, like open standards, foster innovation and make an important contribution to the creation and rapid adaptation of technologies. And that the investment made by so many individuals and companies in creating and developing the Linux Kernel and other open source software deserve a framework of certainty."

2 of 243 comments (clear)

  1. As Bruce Perens said about IBM's similar action: by Ubi_NL · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Is this in writing?
    Is it in lawyer-compatible writing?
    Is it written in a way that they cannot duck out of it Rambus style?

    --

    If an experiment works, something has gone wrong.
  2. Sorry but we have to reject this by Baki · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As much good intentions Nokia may have at this time towards Linux and OSS in general, it is not acceptable to be at the mercy of such good will. Software patents need to be rejected on principle, and not be accepted because they happen to cause no damage AT THE MOMENT because of current good will.

    Nokia is one of the main proponents of software patents in the European debate regarding this subject. The only answer is: we don't want your parents, we don't want any (software) patents in existance at all. Anything other would be very hypocritical.