FSMLabs: Agreement reached with Free Software Foundation

FSMLabs, Inc. announced today that it has reached an agreement with the Free Software Foundation regarding its RTLinux Open Patent License.On Friday, September 14, 2001, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) issued a spirited press release on the RTLinux Open Patent License that permits use of the GPL version of FSMLabs RTLinux. Discussions over the weekend showed that the FSF was reacting to an unpublished, preliminary draft of the license, not the license published by FSMLabs in January 2001. The FSF has withdrawn its statement and requested a few small additional changes to the current version.

“On Monday, both sides agreed, in principle, to a settlement of the dispute and a cessation to ‘hostilities’,” said Victor Yodaiken, FSMLabs CEO. “We’re happy to be able to put this matter aside and to continue publishing GPL/RTLinux as a service to the open source community.”

Yodaiken pointed out that FSMLabs commercial business was not affected by the dispute.

“I particularly want to thank Red Hat for helping us resolve this problem,” said Yodaiken. He also thanked the numerous members of the open source community to who came to FSMLab’s defense.

“We’ve always balanced our sustainable software business with development work for the open source community,” said Cort Dougan, FSMLabs Director of Engineering. “There were those who were upset with us and we appreciate their idealism and enthusiasm. But we’re also ready to move on to more productive activities.”

An official statement from the FSF is expected soon.

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About FSMLabs, Inc.
FSMLabs’ main product is RTLinux/Pro, a small POSIX compliant hard real time operating system that can run either BSD Unix or Linux as an application. FSMLabs, Inc. was founded by the creators of RTLinux with the goal of extending speed and accuracy in the development of realtime and embedded systems. By developing systems that reduce complexity and unpredictability, we advance realtime state-of-the-art. By endorsing and promoting internationally recognized POSIX realtime standards, we help ensure ease of development and application portability. With engineering staff and technology partners worldwide, FSMLabs pursues solutions characterized by simplicity, robustness and precise design. For more information, email business@fsmlabs.com and visit www.rtlinux.com.

For more information contact:

Monica Ortiz

FSMLabs, Inc. PR Contact

415-990-5513

monica@mktgevents.com