From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 Return-Path: Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org via listexpand id S262153AbTLUDag (ORCPT ); Sat, 20 Dec 2003 22:30:36 -0500 Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org id S262161AbTLUDag (ORCPT ); Sat, 20 Dec 2003 22:30:36 -0500 Received: from rwcrmhc11.comcast.net ([204.127.198.35]:48320 "EHLO rwcrmhc11.comcast.net") by vger.kernel.org with ESMTP id S262153AbTLUDae (ORCPT ); Sat, 20 Dec 2003 22:30:34 -0500 Subject: Re: [OT] use of patented algorithms in the kernel ok or not? From: Albert Cahalan To: linux-kernel mailing list Cc: Linus Torvalds Content-Type: text/plain Organization: Message-Id: <1071969177.1742.112.camel@cube> Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Mailer: Ximian Evolution 1.2.4 Date: 20 Dec 2003 20:12:58 -0500 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Sender: linux-kernel-owner@vger.kernel.org X-Mailing-List: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org Linus writes: > On Thu, 18 Dec 2003, Lennert Buytenhek wrote: >> What am I to do? Ignore the patent? Or should >> I refrain from submitting the patch I wrote, >> and look for an unencumbered algorithm instead? > > Don't submit, and find an unencumbered algorithm. > Unless you can get the patent holder to grant a > license (it does happen). What about the obvious Kconfig option? config PATENT_1234567890 bool "Patent 1234567890" default n help Say Y here if you have the right to use patent 1234567890 (the foo patent). Some countries do not recognise this patent, an educational or research exemption may apply, you may be the patent holder, the patent may have expired, or you may have aquired rights via licensing. Seek legal help if you need advice concerning your rights. If unsure, say N. This assumes that the patented algorithm is important enough to bother with, and we'd all hope a non-patented alternative is available for those of us without rights to the patent.