Nikola Milutinovic wrote:
Still, this sounds dangerous. It should be, even legally, WRONG to patent something that already exist and was not invented by the patentee. I know we can laugh off MS in court, but what about new DBs or project even built on PG that have this functionality? Software patents are a menace, I'm afraid. And this is still just one portion. IBM is also into this line of "work".
Nix.
Question??? Does the license that Postgresql works under allow for a foundation or non for profit entity be created that would hold onto patents for original ideas of the contributors so WE can protect the users and developers of postgresql
The idea start playing the game MS and other Software companies are playing where they keep applying for patents/copyrights where there is prior art. This would protect everyone in the development chain from having defend stupid lawsuits that these companies could bring against the biggest offenders.
USPTO only looks at existing patents and trademarks to see if they can issue a patent . So if a patent makes claims on already existing art it puts the burden on the original inventor to get the patent revoke. Doing the above would help put an end to this.
This is just a suggestion.
