Posted by: Anonymous
[ip: 10.6.88.189]
on May 26, 2008 03:13 PM
Seriously, we don't need lies from anyone, not even fervent pro-FOSS linux guy. The Novell-MS patent deal consisted of a one-time-only payment by Novell. In return, MS agrees to help promote and sell SLES -- in addition to interoperability improvements on both sides of the fence. Sometimes people hate and they don't know why.
How easily people forget the details of a controversy. The problem with the patent deal is not the payment to Microsoft, nor the interoperability it brings.
The problem with the patent deal was that it eroded the rights granted in the GPLv2 by adding additional restrictions on the code, without tripping any clause in the GPLv2. This is called a loophole. It meant that not every recipient of the GPLv2 code got the same rights, some got more through the "non-aggression treaty" from MS for Novell code. Which is against the spirit of what the GPLv2 was supposed to accomplish.
Novell was cut some slack by the FSF with the GPLv3 by the grandfather clause, but GPL-ed code was never meant to be burdonned with unequal rights through patent promises.
Sometimes people hate and they very well know why. In this case, I don't think people abhor Novell, but loathe the deal itself.
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Re: FUD
Posted by: Anonymous [ip: 10.6.88.189] on May 26, 2008 03:13 PMHow easily people forget the details of a controversy. The problem with the patent deal is not the payment to Microsoft, nor the interoperability it brings.
The problem with the patent deal was that it eroded the rights granted in the GPLv2 by adding additional restrictions on the code, without tripping any clause in the GPLv2. This is called a loophole. It meant that not every recipient of the GPLv2 code got the same rights, some got more through the "non-aggression treaty" from MS for Novell code. Which is against the spirit of what the GPLv2 was supposed to accomplish.
Novell was cut some slack by the FSF with the GPLv3 by the grandfather clause, but GPL-ed code was never meant to be burdonned with unequal rights through patent promises.
Sometimes people hate and they very well know why. In this case, I don't think people abhor Novell, but loathe the deal itself.
r_a_trip.
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