Re: 8.0.X and the ARC patent

pgsql(at)mohawksoft(dot)com wrote:
>>pgsql(at)mohawksoft(dot)com wrote:
>>
>>>Might it be possible to contact IBM directly and ask if they will allow
>>>usage of the patent for PostgreSQL. They've let 500 patents for open
>>>source, maybe they'll give a write off for this as well.
>>>
>>>There is an advantage beyond just not having to re-write the code, but
>>>it
>>>would also be sort of an IBM blessing, great PR.
>>>
>>>I will be at "Linux World" and see if there is an IBM booth, maybe I can
>>>get some contact info.
>>
>>I doubt they will give us something that extends to companies that sell
>>PostgreSQL so I don't see the point.
>
>
> Actually, I think that's wrong. IBM has been really gung-ho about Linux.
> Of course this is an obvious movement against Microsoft domination of the
> server market, but they have made some very strong open source statements
> and have release about 500 patents to open source projects.
>
> The current open source patents extend to companies that sell other
> products, why not PostgreSQL as well?
>
> There is a *LOT* of crap going on with patents, there are so many issues
> and motives that is hard to keep track of why who is doing what. My bet is
> that it is 50/50. It all depends if IBM wants to hurt Oracle more than it
> wants to defned DB2.
>
Seeing up close what IBM is doing with Eclipse, I must concur with this.
I would be surprised if they said no. IBM knows that making revenue from
software licenses is becoming increasingly harder. My impression is that
they want to become less dependent on that and instead become more
services oriented. This patent was filed before they started to change
direction big time. Personally, I don't think they would care about it
at all now.

So IMHO, ask IBM. It can't hurt.

Regards,
Thomas Hallgren