4 ms·
No, it only puts power in the hands of the big players. It might mean the big players can't sue each other, but they can absolutely sue the smaller companies. B
by eridius 9y ago
No, it only puts power in the hands of the big players. It might mean the big players can't sue each other, but they can absolutely sue the smaller companies. BSD + Patents only "disarms" anyone who's actually using the licensed software, and perhaps more importantly, depending on it to the extent that they can't reasonably move away if they lose the patent grant. Even if Facebook did start using OSS from some small company, they could probably just rewrite the software themselves if they want to sue the company.
- guelo 9y agoPatents offer small companies no protection in a dispute with a large company. The legal fight is too expensive.
- cbhl 9y agoBoth Facebook and Google's lawyers want to create a world where software patents don't block innovation. BSD + Patents doesn't look like the way we'll get there. Is there a way we can get there without putting "power in the hands of the big players" in the interim?
- kelnos 9y agoNo it doesn't; read the license again. It disarms you from being the aggressor; if FB comes after you, you keep your right to counter-sue while also keeping your license to use the software.
- SpaceNugget 9y agoYes it does, Them using patents that you don't grant them and you being unable to sue them for it is definitely putting the power in their hands.
- vectorjohn 9y agoYes, that's exactly the point. It disarms people from fighting over patent nonsense. If you hate software patents you should love the bad + patents license.
- ec109685 9y agoFacebook could never take away your license to the software. BSD license was irrevocable, whether you sued them or not.