Linux tmpfs (Was: [OpenAFS] Solaris 10u6: ZFS cache?)

Buhrmaster, Gary gtb@slac.stanford.edu
Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:41:24 -0800


> .. I'd expect IBM's policy not to interfere
> with their Public License (i.e. OpenAFS's license).

Expectations are wonderful things, but should not
be confused with actual licenses and/or conditions
and covenants (especially when future litigations
can be reasonably forseen as a possibility(*)).  If
someone decided to implement ARC (or derivatives),
one would first have to do the "exercise"(**) and
communicate/work with IBM/Sun to gain the
appropriate (presumably non-exclusive) license(***).

Gary

(*) To protect their software patents (which may,
    or may not, now be legal, see "In re Bilski
    and Warsaw"), IBM/Sun must aggressively persue
    all infringement when they become aware of it.

(**) Which is why I said "is left as an exercise"

(***) One may not like US (patent) law, but one also
    *never* wants to be the "test case" unless one
    can/enjoy/must spend millions to prove your point.