[opensource-dev] New TOS - Compulsory patent licensing gone?

Jonathan Bishop bishopj at bishopphillips.com
Wed Mar 31 23:05:14 PDT 2010


> The new TOS does not include a section on compulsory patent licensing. 
> I hope that this omission was unintended and will be rectified, as 
> software patents are a particular danger to open source developers.


Actually, it is more serious than the open source developers...and way more
problematic than the complex and subtle interplay of the TOS and the TPVP.
Without the "patent peace" clause it is possible for people to apply to
patent content in SL.  Which means scripts and combinations of objects and
methods.  


This is potentially disastrous for SL creators and LL as their world could
be wrapped up in patents that prevent the creation of new content.  We could
look forward to patents on "a method to simulate wearable realworld skirts
using attached textured prims" - the prim skirt, and "a method to conduct
meetings in virtual worlds among remote attendees" - the meeting room. 

And, of course none of the content would be of sufficient value to justify
filing a defense over.

Regards

Jonathan Bishop 




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