Re: How can we submit code patches that implement our (pending)patents? - Mailing list pgsql-hackers

From Joshua D. Drake
Subject Re: How can we submit code patches that implement our (pending)patents?
Date
Msg-id 2a80a1ef-5a0b-d89e-f2c8-cec0937b4d6d@commandprompt.com
Whole thread Raw
In response to Re: How can we submit code patches that implement our (pending)patents?  (Bruce Momjian <bruce@momjian.us>)
Responses Re: How can we submit code patches that implement our (pending)patents?  (Nico Williams <nico@cryptonector.com>)
Re: How can we submit code patches that implement our (pending) patents?  (Dave Page <dpage@pgadmin.org>)
List pgsql-hackers
On 07/23/2018 12:06 PM, Bruce Momjian wrote:
>> So, is it FUD?  The core needs paid-for legal advice, not speculation.
>>
>> I'm quite certain that a software license can make a patent grant to the
>> satisfaction of many open source communities, and almost certainly to
>> the satisfaction of the PG community.  But it will take an IP lawyer to
>> review or write such a license.
> And is the payback worth it?  Many don't think so.

Although Nico is correct, I also think we need to consider what the 
community wants here. Historically, we have always explicitly avoided 
anything to do with patents to the point where some hackers won't even 
read white papers on patented methods. I do think there is a definite 
technological advantage for PostgreSQL if there was a license that core 
could accept that was patent friendly but frankly, I don't think that 
core or the community has the desire to work through the cost of doing so.

JD

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