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But it's not about software patents - GPL makes absolutely no distinction between software and hardware patents, it wants them both! If they didn't grab hardwar
by Nomentatus 10y ago
But it's not about software patents - GPL makes absolutely no distinction between software and hardware patents, it wants them both! If they didn't grab hardware patent licenses (or licenses to mixed hardware/software inventions) that would be an entirely different worldview. I'd very much welcome that change.
- davidgerard 10y agoThat would only mean you can't use a patent to make the software non-free. It would be more convincing if you gave a clear example. (that wasn't functionally an attempted end-run around software freedom.)
- Nomentatus 10y agoIt would mean anyone willing to use that software can use your hardware invention without paying you. No thanks. You can dispute this I suppose because the wording of the license is awful and far too terse, and hasn't been tested in court - but for businesses, that IS the risk, and therefore the problem.