On 28 Feb 2003, Christophe Fergeau wrote:
However, looking at the Apple latest patent [1], it is clear that the
patch would make Nautilus violates claim 1 of that patent.
To my eyes, the more sensible thing to do with respect to patent is to
never read any so that you can say you didn't know about it if there is
some problems :)
Moreover, this apple patent is probably valid in a few countries, and I
don't think it's really fair to reject this patch because it's illegal
in the us (and maybe a few other countries). You can #ifdef it out in
the problematic countries if you want to be safe :)
That would mean you can't distribute nautilus.
>From the GPL:
7. 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, they do not
excuse you from the conditions of this License. If you cannot distribute
so as to satisfy simultaneously your obligations under this License and
any other pertinent obligations, then as a consequence you may not
distribute the Program at all. For example, if a patent license would not
permit royalty-free redistribution of the Program by all those who receive
copies directly or indirectly through you, then the only way you could
satisfy both it and this License would be to refrain entirely from
distribution of the Program.