Comments on: IBM offers 500 patents for open-source use

Big Blue will let open-source developers use 500 software patents without fear of infringement lawsuits.

[David Arbogast]

For How Long?

I don't see a mention that IBM is selling or dissolving its patents. It is merely granting permissions for use. How does this benefit open source if they change their mind later?

[Steven N]

Typical M$ reaction

Let's create some FUD....

[Al Johnsons]

granting permissions

http://www.analogstereo.com/dual_action_cleanser.htm

[Hobyx]

That's really cool

This sounds like a very good first step towards corporate
responsibility of software innovation at the application level.

Just remember, the web site you're reading this on and millions of
others wouldn't even exist today if - from the very start - HTML
and Javascript weren't inherently open source. The reason
innovation happened so rapidly is because if you liked what you
saw on someone's web site, you could View Source and freely build
off of their work, and vice versa.