Re: [LI] Fwd: Linux headed for disaster? >> Doesn't Patents protect Or Isn't Binary code ENOUGH !!! <<

[C Hanish Menon <hanish@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi

This is a doubt I have, may be what I am thinking is wrong, Please do clarify.

On Tue, 07 Dec 1999, Arun Sharma wrote:
> But there are situations under which people want to preserve their
> intellectual properties. And they should be free to do so. XFree86 4.0
> is being smart here in defining a binary interface. So if a graphic
> chip vendor wants to release a binary only driver, I can use it with
> XFree86 4.0. Sure it may not work as well as a source only driver, but
> it's better than nothing.
> 

When talking about not releasing Source based drivers we are talking about the
possibility of one coming to know about the  Hardware logic built into these
cards or so if I am not wrong. Which the hardware vendor doesn't want others to
use with out permission from him. But is this Binary only driver realy solving
the above problem? My points for this are

a) He can PATENT it if its REALY UNIQUE. and this should protect him
from others taking undue advantage or copying his effort with out getting
consent from him.

b) The Software drivers If I am not wrong May/Maynot provide enough info
always. (I know it depends). But at the levels of Drivers, If someone is REALLY
INTERESTED in GETTING to KNOW the HARDWARE LOGIC, the BINARY CODE IS IN ITSELF
MORE THAN SUFFICIENT MOST OF THE TIMES.

Thus I DON'T see as to WHAT advantage do hardware vendors have in NOT
RELEASING SOURCE based Drivers. PLEASE CLARIFY.


---------
Keep :-)
HanishKVC
http://hanishkvc.tripod.com/