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I get that Apache and GPL are well-established (perhaps not GPL3 yet though?), and that encourages stability to use them. But this new patent license is strong
by azakai 12y ago
I get that Apache and GPL are well-established (perhaps not GPL3 yet though?), and that encourages stability to use them.
But this new patent license is stronger. If it would make the industry safer from patent armageddon in the long term, it might be worth the effort to popularize yet another license.
- magicalist 12y agoThe reason is not just that Apache is well established, it's that it's sane in its extent. Let's say 10 years from now Facebook decides to go on the warpath over fairly bogus patents. The EFF puts the headline patent on their Most Bogus patent busting list and then puts out the cry for "who is with us?" No company using any Facebook open source code answers. How does that make the industry safer?
- azakai 12y agoWell, let's say that Facebook is using other company's code with a similar patent grant. Then Facebook can't go on the warpath in the first place. I understand there might be a chicken-and-egg problem here. But the final outcome seems optimal with this license. And someone has to go first.
- air 12y agoBut is there evidence that Facebook is willing to use other companies' code under similar grant?