John Maddock wrote:
Mateusz Loskot wrote:
Hi,
First, please, forgive me if this subject have been discussed already, but I couldn't find anything in the lists archives and Boost docs.
Today, my friend was told (warned) on the #c++ IRC channel that Boost uses some technologies already patented by IBM (and may be other entities), like RCU or SMR (and may be more). I have no idea if this is true or not, so I'd like to ask some questions regarding this warning:
1. Does Boost use any patented technologies?
Not knowingly, which doesn't mean that we don't of course.
John, I see, that makes sense, certainly.
What are RCU and SMR?
I understand it as Read-Copy-Update and Safe Memory Reclamation
I'd be interested to know exactly what folks are saying about Boost, especially if it sounds a little like some FUD.
I tried to ask authors of these warnings about patents in Boost on the #c++ and there wasn't anyone who could explain me this issue in details. I suppose now it's only a rumour, but nothing serious. So, I appologize for making unnecessary noise here, but it did scare me a little :-)
2. If it does, and for example it uses some in library X, does it mean I can not use library Y (without copying X) in my program because of patents-derived restrictions? In other words, if Boost uses any patented technologies in library X, does it influence other libraries? What are implications regarding it?
IANAL: and that's something you would need a lawyer for :-(
Yes that's now clear for me. I just wanted to understand if Boost libraries are licensed as a standalone package and if patent/licensing issues in one library may influence another one, both live in Boost. As I understand, Boost is a set of libraries available under common license, Boost license, so I think that when library X breaks some copyrights or patents then it does not influences library Y and others. But I'll ask a lawyer, when I find a good one ;-) Cheers -- Mateusz Loskot http://mateusz.loskot.net