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The GNOME Foundation established a legal defense fund to fight this suit which has raised over $150,000. Their plea on the site soliciting donations states; "G

by tssva 6y ago

The GNOME Foundation established a legal defense fund to fight this suit which has raised over $150,000. Their plea on the site soliciting donations states; "GNOME, the free software desktop has been hit by a patent troll. It's the first time a free software project has been hit by this, and we want to send a message to all patent trolls out there - we will fight your suit, and we will have your patent invalidated." It is disappointing to see the GNOME Foundation settle in this manner rather than pursue the patent invalidation case fully as implied in their fund raising site and pretty explicitly in the blog post announcing the fund. I imagine a significant number of donors will also be disappointed making trying to raise such funds for any future defense more difficult.

Yetanfou 6y ago
While I understand the financial motivation to settle in this way - getting these bogus patents invalidated takes a lot of lawyer time/money - reading this piece of fluff does leave a nasty aftertaste, almost as if those Rothschild Patent Imaging, and Leigh M. Rothschild are anything but the bottom-feeding pond scum detritus that they really are.
- goodcanadian 6y ago
  Well, you have to read between the lines a lot on these kinds of announcements, but what I see is a massive win for Gnome: GNOME receives a release and covenant not to be sued for any patent held by Rothschild Patent Imaging. Further, both Rothschild Patent Imaging and Leigh Rothschild are granting a release and covenant to any software that is released under an existing Open Source Initiative approved license (and subsequent versions thereof), including for the entire Rothschild portfolio of patents, to the extent such software forms a material part of the infringement allegation.
  - tssva 6y ago
    I think most people can see it is a win for GNOME but it is far short of the goal the GNOME Foundation proclaimed when it went out raising money.
- tssva 6y ago
  Invalidating a patent does take a lot of lawyer time/money but the GNOME Foundation set a funding goal of $125k when it announced doing so was an aim of the defense fund which certainly conveys that they believe that level of funding would make it possible. Something they certainly would have conferred with their legal team regarding. They exceeded that goal by $25k.
- zoobab 6y ago
  Gnome Foundation should give the money back.
beervirus 6y ago
Maybe the patent was stronger than they first thought.
pabs3 6y ago
Neil McGovern says that the outcome is much better than invalidation of a single patent: https://openuk.uk/gnome-settles-patent-litigation-amanda-brock-ceo-openuk-interviews-neil-mcgovern-ed-of-gnome-foundation-and-board-director-at-openuk/ https://openuk.uk/gnome-settles-patent-litigation-amanda-bro...

by tssva 6y ago

Yetanfou 6y ago

While I understand the financial motivation to settle in this way - getting these bogus patents invalidated takes a lot of lawyer time/money - reading this piece of fluff does leave a nasty aftertaste, almost as if those Rothschild Patent Imaging, and Leigh M. Rothschild are anything but the bottom-feeding pond scum detritus that they really are.

goodcanadian 6y ago
Well, you have to read between the lines a lot on these kinds of announcements, but what I see is a massive win for Gnome: GNOME receives a release and covenant not to be sued for any patent held by Rothschild Patent Imaging. Further, both Rothschild Patent Imaging and Leigh Rothschild are granting a release and covenant to any software that is released under an existing Open Source Initiative approved license (and subsequent versions thereof), including for the entire Rothschild portfolio of patents, to the extent such software forms a material part of the infringement allegation.
- tssva 6y ago
  I think most people can see it is a win for GNOME but it is far short of the goal the GNOME Foundation proclaimed when it went out raising money.
tssva 6y ago
Invalidating a patent does take a lot of lawyer time/money but the GNOME Foundation set a funding goal of $125k when it announced doing so was an aim of the defense fund which certainly conveys that they believe that level of funding would make it possible. Something they certainly would have conferred with their legal team regarding. They exceeded that goal by $25k.
zoobab 6y ago
Gnome Foundation should give the money back.

beervirus 6y ago

Maybe the patent was stronger than they first thought.

pabs3 6y ago

Neil McGovern says that the outcome is much better than invalidation of a single patent: https://openuk.uk/gnome-settles-patent-litigation-amanda-brock-ceo-openuk-interviews-neil-mcgovern-ed-of-gnome-foundation-and-board-director-at-openuk/ https://openuk.uk/gnome-settles-patent-litigation-amanda-bro...