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McAfee Worried Over "Ambiguous" Open Source Licenses

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the play-by-the-rules-and-no-one-gets-hurt dept.

willdavid writes to tell us InformationWeek is reporting that McAfee, in their annual report, has warned investors that "ambiguous" open source licenses "may result in unanticipated obligations regarding [McAfee] products." "McAfee said it's particularly troubling that the legality of terms included in the GNU/General Public License -- the most widely used open source license -- have yet to be tested in court. 'Use of GPL software could subject certain portions of our proprietary software to the GPL requirements, which may have adverse effects on our sales of the products incorporating any such software,' McAfee said in the report filed last month with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Among other things, the GPL requires that manufacturers who in their products use software governed by the license distribute the software's source code to end users or customers. Some manufacturers have voiced concerns that the requirement could leave important security or copyright protection features in their products open to tampering."

2 of 315 comments (clear)

  1. Wiggle wiggle by davro · · Score: -1, Troll

    From what i read above it seem that the McAfeehole needs to get a grip.
    Before you use the software you have to accept the license, one reason i do not use microsoft/apple pooducts.

    McAfee fsck off, you lame microsoft fan boys/girls.

  2. Re:I don't get it by IllForgetMyNickSoonA · · Score: 0, Troll

    Which stupid dumbfuck on crack modded this "Troll"???

    PLEASE, PLEASE remove "Troll" and "Flamebait" altogether - the misuse of those ratings by far exceeds the benefit!