Re: [pgsql-advocacy] Software Patents

Robert Treat wrote:
> On Friday 22 April 2005 11:15, Bruce Momjian wrote:
> > Historically patents have protected small companies from having their
> > ideas stolen by larger companies.  That has worked sometimes, and other
> > times patents have been abused terribly, and this is not the first time
> > patents have been abused.
> >
>
> One has to wonder, what is the difference between protecting small companies
> from larger companies, or protecting small companies from large open source
> projects who reverse engineer their software and distribute it worlwide,
> putting said small company out of business.

Yep, good point.

> > From an open source perspective, I think patents are the most effective
> > way for proprietary companies to attack open source projects, and I am
> > shocked that this has not happened already.  I am confused why it hasn't
> > happened as much yet.  (I have asked folks at conferences and no one
> > seems to know the answer.)  Perhaps it is because the enforcement of
> > patents is too difficult, perhaps they realize open source is global and
> > therefore can avoid enforcement, perhaps it the fear of bad public
> > relations, or perhaps they are waiting for Europe to approve patents.
> > (SCO vs. Linux is a copyright case and is easier to enforce.)
> >
>
> Perhaps because most open source projects have little to no money, s the
> traditional process of sueing infringers for big $$ or to force licensing
> arrangments just doesn't work.

Yes, but what about commercial db companies where we are eating into
their business?  Why haven't they attacked us yet?

> > And what statement are you going to make that is going to get a large
> > majority vote?
> >
> >  o  patents are bad
> >  o  software patents are bad
> >  o  trivial software patents are bad
> >
>
> You can post a statement that the postgresql project feels it is in our best
> interest and in our users best interest to avoid patents within our code.
> You can also point out that if there were no software patents, we wouldn't
> have to worry about this.  I don't think anyone would disagree with the
> above.

Right.  Such a limited approach is best.

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