If the idea originates in PostgreSQL, then nobody else can patent it,
because there will be pre-existing art (the PostgreSQL engine) that
already demonstrated the idea. A patent must have a novel idea in it.
I do not think a good thing can come from creation of software patents.
Here is a link of interest:
http://swpat.ffii.org/index.en.html
Of course, it is IMO-YMMV.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pgsql-hackers-owner@postgresql.org [mailto:pgsql-hackers-
> owner@postgresql.org] On Behalf Of Alvaro Herrera
> Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2005 10:14 PM
> To: Hackers
> Subject: [HACKERS] Can we get patents?
>
> Hackers,
>
> I was reading LWN.net and noticed an article about Eben Moglen's
keynote
> at linux.conf.au. Apparently he advises free software projects to get
> patents on their best ideas.
>
> Eben encouraged free software developers to record their novel
> inventions and to obtain patents on the best of them. Free legal
> help can be made available to obtain patents on the best ideas.
> Until the rules of the game can be changed, we must play the
> game, and having the right patents available may make all the
> difference in defending against an attack.
>
> http://lwn.net/Articles/133421/
>
> Eben Moglen is the FSF's attorney.
>
> I'm wondering, could the PostgreSQL Foundation (or some other entity)
> get patents on some parts of Postgres? Maybe ResourceOwners for
> example; or the newer parts of the optimizer.
>
> The patents would be freely licensed to everyone (including commercial
> redistributors and developers/users of competing products), except to
> patent litigators, or something like that.
>
> --
> Alvaro Herrera (<alvherre[@]dcc.uchile.cl>)
> "La espina, desde que nace, ya pincha" (Proverbio africano)
>
> ---------------------------(end of
broadcast)---------------------------
> TIP 8: explain analyze is your friend
