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Microsoft today announced that it:
is supporting the addition of Microsoft's exFAT technology to the Linux kernel.
Microsoft has published the exFAT file system specification on its Windows Dev Center site.
While the code remains under copyright, Microsoft also stated that the exFAT code incorporated into the Linux kernel will be available under GPLv2.
We also support the eventual inclusion of a Linux kernel with exFAT support in a future revision of the Open Invention Network's Linux System Definition, where, once accepted, the code will benefit from the defensive patent commitments of OIN's 3040+ members and licensees.
It is noteworthy that there is already a free and open source exFAT driver available for FreeBSD and multiple Linux distributions, but it is not an official part of the Linux kernel due to the patent encumbrance of exFAT.
Also at TechCrunch and VentureBeat.
(Score: 2) by progo on Thursday August 29 2019, @03:07PM (3 children)
I think I read somewhere that exFAT is encumbered by at least one software patent of very questionable logical value but presumably solid legal value -- apparently designed for real business to real business patent trolling.
I don't understand the patent issues as they stand now with exFAT and Linux: are other things in the Linux kernel subject to active patents, and we have come to some kind of cease fire agreement? Is it acceptable to put patented exFAT in the kernel if Microsoft pinky swears that it's okay?
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Pino P on Thursday August 29 2019, @03:52PM (2 children)
Say you have two modules of a computer program. One ("L") consists of third-party code under the GNU GPL. The other ("E") consists of your own code implementing your own patented process. Say further that you operate a platform ("A") that leases virtual servers to subscribers, and you want to make the combined program available to your subscribers. Copyright prohibits you from doing so unless you follow the terms of the GPL with respect to the combined program. If you are unwilling to uphold your obligations under the GPL to users of L+E who received their copy of L+E through A, directly or indirectly, then under GPL section 7 [gnu.org], you lose your license under copyright to distribute L, and consequently, any owner of copyright in part of L has grounds to sue you for damages and an injunction against distributing L+E to A users.
Guess what L, E, and A stand for.
(Score: 2) by progo on Thursday August 29 2019, @05:41PM (1 child)
I'm not sure you addressed my question. I said "I don't understand"; not "I don't see a problem."
I'm asking: is someone suggesting a SOLUTION for bundling code that implements exFAT, and Linux, in the same package? Is there a solution for including non-public-domain patents in ideas in Linux, or is Microsoft just blowing hot air?
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 29 2019, @07:05PM
Microsoft can grant the Linux Kernel Organization (or whomever is given ownership rights on Linux) a super-liberal, non-exclusive, use, creation, and distribution patent license that also allows them to freely transfer and sublicense the use of the patent on the same terms. There has been mention of OIN, suggests they are looking to grant a license like that to OIN, which would allow them to sublicense to Linux, which allows them to sublicense to whomever, which allows them to sublicense to whomever, ad infinitum.
So, you don't technically have to grant a license to everyone from the get go, as long as your licensee who is actually using or distributing can do so.