Re: Intel's drivers license
Walter Landry <wlandry@ucsd.edu>:
> Intel is granting specific rights which do not extend to all GPL
> software. Therefore, clause 7 of the GPL comes into effect, and we
> can't distribute GPL'd works which include this Intel code. Clause 7
> is actually quite clear about this.
I'm not totally convinced ...
Clause 7 says: "If, as a consequence of a court judgment or allegation
of patent infringement or for any other reason (not limited to patent
issues), conditions are imposed on you (whether by court order,
agreement or otherwise) that contradict the conditions of this
License, ..."
Does Debian have conditions imposed on it by the mere fact of being
aware that Intel has granted this limited patent licence?
Compare with the BT hyperlink licence. Does it prevent Debian from
distributing GPL software that uses hyperlinks? Apparently not. If BT
were to write to Debian giving Debian permission to use hyperlinks
with GPL web browsers (but not with other programs), would Debian
suddenly be required to remove all software that uses hyperlinks -
including the web browsers - because this licence is incompatible with
the GPL?
I'm still confused by how Intel's permission - however limited - might
prevent Debian from doing something that Debian would be happy to do
if no permission were given.
Usually Debian ignores patents unless there is a threat of legal
action. If this communication from Intel is a threat, it's a very
veiled one!
Edmund
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