[boost] Re: Re: Boost License Issues

From: David B. Held (dheld_at_[hidden])
Date: 2002-11-29 16:24:44

"John Maddock" <jm_at_[hidden]> wrote in message
news:011f01c2979d$e3c6a020$cb5287d9_at_1016031671...
> [...]
> Hard to make any patent guarentees I think, as I'm sure the inventors of
> the .gif format would attest to.

Maybe the Boost moderators could solicit donations from companies
with a vested interest in the success of Boost.  In particular, it would be
interesting if a legal advisory panel/committee or some such could be
assembled on a purely voluntary basis to perform patent searches and
and give advice on license terms.  It seems that if some well-heeled
companies gain some benefit from using Boost, this is a reasonably
small way they can contribute, with resources that they are already
paying for anyway.  And if Boost is a legal non-profit organization, then
maybe the donations could be tax deductible as well?  I have
no idea.  Also, it would help Boost authors devise licenses that are
fair, but perhaps offer a stronger level of protection to potential library
users.  So it would ultimately benefit those who contribute.

Dave