Comment Re:Not unless it adopts the GPL. (Score 1) 544
The CDDL *requires* the originator and contributors to automatically give patent grants, for good, to that CDDL code and its deratives - non-revocable.
Paul,
The strength of the GPL is it's immunity to Microsoft's infamous Embrace and Extend(tm) machinations. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around why Sun needed the CDDL instead of the GPL. The GPL is extremely contributor friendly and I think companies look at it like the neutral zone. Anything they contribute becomes a shared asset.
One of my concerns about the CDDL is perhaps it's NOT immune to Embrace, Extend, & Exterminate. Let's pretend for a moment that Open Solaris catches on like crazy and overtakes Linux -- if contributors have to assign non-revocable copyright and patent rights to Sun what's to keep Sun from releasing Closed Solaris Ultra-Profession Edition(tm) at some point? Or, pardon the tinfoil, what if Microsoft buys Sun?
IMHO, Sun is severely limiting it's appeal to a developer community by using the wonky CDDL license. You're going to recruit a handful that were already Sun enthusiasts but that's about it.
Paul,
The strength of the GPL is it's immunity to Microsoft's infamous Embrace and Extend(tm) machinations. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around why Sun needed the CDDL instead of the GPL. The GPL is extremely contributor friendly and I think companies look at it like the neutral zone. Anything they contribute becomes a shared asset.
One of my concerns about the CDDL is perhaps it's NOT immune to Embrace, Extend, & Exterminate. Let's pretend for a moment that Open Solaris catches on like crazy and overtakes Linux -- if contributors have to assign non-revocable copyright and patent rights to Sun what's to keep Sun from releasing Closed Solaris Ultra-Profession Edition(tm) at some point? Or, pardon the tinfoil, what if Microsoft buys Sun?
IMHO, Sun is severely limiting it's appeal to a developer community by using the wonky CDDL license. You're going to recruit a handful that were already Sun enthusiasts but that's about it.
