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According to John Gossman "Microsoft Distinguished Engineer & Linux Foundation Board Member" in a related announcement, Microsoft plans to contribute it to the

by gvb 7y ago

According to John Gossman "Microsoft Distinguished Engineer & Linux Foundation Board Member" in a related announcement, Microsoft plans to contribute it to the Linux kernel: We also support the eventual inclusion of a Linux kernel with exFAT support in a future revision of the Open Invention Network’s Linux System Definition, where, once accepted, the code will benefit from the defensive patent commitments of OIN’s 3040+ members and licensees. Still some patent squirrelly words (they imply you have to sign a patent cross licensing agreement with the OIN - not sure of the implications) and no timeline. Ref: https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/opensource/2019/08/28/exfat-linux-kernel/ https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/opensource/2019/08/28/exfat... OIN Ref: https://www.openinventionnetwork.com/joining-oin/ https://www.openinventionnetwork.com/joining-oin/

WorldMaker 7y ago
Most of the major Linux distributions are directly members or licensees of the OIN already. It looks like any distribution that isn't can get a license by filling out a form, no money needed and royalty-free. To my reading, the OIN is a "mutually assured destruction" organization for patents around Linux that owns some of the patents outright and basically tries to insure that if any member sues another member or licensee over any of their patents the OIN itself and all the other members should band together and counter-sue over the remainder of the patents. It seems an interesting nuclear option to protect Linux from patent lawsuits.
- Boulth 7y ago
  The list definitely is long but I don't see Debian or Archlinux there: https://www.openinventionnetwork.com/community-of-licensees/ https://www.openinventionnetwork.com/community-of-licensees/
ldng 7y ago
Well at least they did not deny patent issues. As for the driver, a community one is already on the way so they'll probably just piggyback on it. Or, if they want to contribute an official driver, they should have contribute it at the same time as the spec, IMO.

by gvb 7y ago

WorldMaker 7y ago

Most of the major Linux distributions are directly members or licensees of the OIN already. It looks like any distribution that isn't can get a license by filling out a form, no money needed and royalty-free. To my reading, the OIN is a "mutually assured destruction" organization for patents around Linux that owns some of the patents outright and basically tries to insure that if any member sues another member or licensee over any of their patents the OIN itself and all the other members should band together and counter-sue over the remainder of the patents. It seems an interesting nuclear option to protect Linux from patent lawsuits.

Boulth 7y ago
The list definitely is long but I don't see Debian or Archlinux there: https://www.openinventionnetwork.com/community-of-licensees/ https://www.openinventionnetwork.com/community-of-licensees/

ldng 7y ago

Well at least they did not deny patent issues. As for the driver, a community one is already on the way so they'll probably just piggyback on it. Or, if they want to contribute an official driver, they should have contribute it at the same time as the spec, IMO.