[zeromq-dev] LGPLv3 patent clause

[Pieter Hintjens]

On Thu, Jan 30, 2014 at 4:29 AM, Sojan James <sojan.james at gmail.com> wrote:

> I think zeromq is a great library to use for my project.  At my company, all
> open source usage needs to be approved for use by a legal team.  Usage of
> GLPv3 and LGPLv3 is flatly refused. One of the reasons is the clause about
> the patents.  I don't fully understand the implications of the patent clause
> of LGPLv3 w.r.t zeromq.  Does the static linking exception affect my
> obligations in any way?
>
> I'm basically looking for any information that I can provide to the legal
> team to discuss further if an exception can be granted for this library.

The patent clause in the LGPLv3 applies to anyone using ZeroMQ, no
matter how they link it. This is deliberate. The goal is to reduce
patent lawsuits around ZeroMQ. You can read the full implications
elsewhere; it's standard part of GPLv3. Any firm that flatly refuses
(L)GPLv3 for these reasons is welcome to go buy commercial software,
or use other products.

Speaking personally, (software) patents are an infectious abomination
that allow pseudo-lawyers to parasite the work of productive people.
Firms do make the choice: either they embrace that abomination or they
reject it. If they embrace it, they are dangerous partners and
unreliable contributors. The LGPLv3 patent clause makes a good filter
to ensure such firms do not join our community. /End of personal
statement

-Pieter