IBM Gives FOSS Free Access to 500 Patents - Rethinks IP Management

[david at thekramers.net (David Kramer)]

On Mon, 24 Jan 2005, Greg Rundlett wrote:

> If you've been as busy as I've been lately, you might not have heard 
> that IBM is proving Linus' quote: "Linux is inevitable".  With a 
> dramatic shift in their 'Intellectual Property' Management, IBM is 
> standing behind free software more than ever.
> 
> http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20050110235654673

While I agree that IBM really has partaked in the FOSS Kool-Aid, I would
hardly say this was purely altruistic.  I think IBM sees this as
chemotherapy treatment.  Yes it will hurt IBM to some extent, and cost
them money, but it will hurt the cancer cells more.

They also reserve the right to backpedal.  Not that it would go well for 
them if they did, but they could.

It certainly is interesting, though.

-- 
DDDD  "People understand instinctively that the best way for computer programs 
DK KD programs to communicate with each other is for each of them to be strict 
DKK D in what they emit, and liberal in what they accept.  The odd thing is
DK KD that people themselves are not willing to be strict in how they speak 
DDDD  and liberal in how they listen."                            - Larry Wall