3 ms·
If they release it under GPL3 then you'd be able to use it even if it's infriging on IBM's patents, if they release it under GPL2 then no.
by kyrias 13y ago
If they release it under GPL3 then you'd be able to use it even if it's infriging on IBM's patents, if they release it under GPL2 then no.
- indeyets 13y agoI'd put it other way round: If software is infringing on someone's patents then it is illegal to license it under GPL3.
- scott_w 13y agoThe above poster was specifically referring to IBM's patents. IBM licensing this code under the GPL also extends a patent license for all of their own patents. This comes from the word "contributors" in section 11. They obviously can't grant a patent license for patents they don't hold, but that's life.