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by Fred Grott.
Original Post: MS and Novell:Mono Sent Packing?
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The analysis from GrokLaw is missing something. The had to be a logical reason why MS choose to deal with Novell not just blind faith. Remember, folks Novell is not the Linux OS leader and not even 2nd place lead.
Microsoft's patent library on MS.NET technology is quite large. In fact, may be larger than any group of patents Microsoft has on OS technology. We have a slight confirmation from this blog that Mono was included in the patent truce.
Mono is a triple license entity; LGPL, GPL, and closed license according to this FAQ. Okay now we get into NEt architecture.
There is a specific grant on EMCA technology components in MS.NET( ie not higher level ADO.NET, windows forms, and etc) that anyone can implement free of charge. Basically, it means that the Mono got a patent permission form Ms to implement higher level MS.NET stuff the same way as Microsoft.
The twist now is that those who contributed either LGPL or GPL now are somewhat prevented from directly contributing if they are outside of Novell. Why? Because they cannot risk that MS and Novell patent agreement contaminating other FOSS projects that they might contribute to at this time.
But how can it be contaminating? The patent truce terms only apply to original code author. Now I have not seen the exceptions yet but want to bet that one of those exceptions is so designed that no derivate code author receives the same exact no patent suit pledge from MS?
My prediction is that you will see at first both FSF and GNU refuse to contaminate their
DotGNU code base with anything from Mono. Than you will see developer migrations from the Mono project and SUSE to other competing projects. I feel sorry for botht he Mono and SUSE developers.
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