Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

SoylentNews is powered by your submissions, so send in your scoop. Only 15 submissions in the queue.
posted by takyon on Thursday August 29 2019, @03:16AM   Printer-friendly
from the ten-years-too-late dept.

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.


Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
  • (Score: 2) by Pino P on Thursday August 29 2019, @03:34PM (3 children)

    by Pino P (4721) on Thursday August 29 2019, @03:34PM (#887313) Journal

    Once in the kernel, M$ has the legal right, in the US, to require payment from anyone using Linux.

    Threatening a patent infringement suit against users of Linux would appear to cost Microsoft the right to distribute Linux to its Azure subscribers:

    For example, if a patent license would not permit royalty-free redistribution of the Program by all those who receive copies directly or indirectly through you, then the only way you could satisfy both it and this License would be to refrain entirely from distribution of the Program.

    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  

    Total Score:   2  
  • (Score: 3, Touché) by hendrikboom on Thursday August 29 2019, @06:14PM (1 child)

    by hendrikboom (1125) on Thursday August 29 2019, @06:14PM (#887414) Homepage Journal

    Would the patent interfere with distribution or with use?

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 29 2019, @06:54PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 29 2019, @06:54PM (#887435)

      Both. That section of the GPL gives two options to distributors. They can either stop using it all together, or rip out that modification from the GPL program. Even though Microsoft can grant the use to their direct customers, they have to also grant it to everybody those customers could give it (which ends up meaning everyone on the planet due to GPL's viral nature) in order to comply with the GPL.

      As for users, if they get and use a kernel with exFAT in it without getting the patent license, then they are directly infringing the patent and can't use the software anyway. If they use the kernel with a patent license, but cannot transfer or sublicense that licence to everyone, then you are in violation of Section 7 of the GPL and cannot use said software at all.

  • (Score: 2) by PinkyGigglebrain on Friday August 30 2019, @07:00PM

    by PinkyGigglebrain (4458) on Friday August 30 2019, @07:00PM (#887871)

    Threatening a patent infringement suit against users of Linux would appear to cost Microsoft the right to distribute Linux to its Azure subscribers:

    As if that would stop them. This is Microsoft we are talking about, they have the legal and financial resources to drag any court case arising from their violating the GPL on for decades.

    And lets be honest, there aren't any GNU/Linux or GPL supporting organizations that have the resources to match Microsoft's in a long fight.

    --
    "Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."