Why does the patch use ifdef statements

Posted May 9, 2009 21:03 UTC (Sat) by giraffedata (guest, #1954)
In reply to: Why does the patch use ifdef statements by nhippi
Parent article: Long discussions about long names

You violate patents by using the patented method (commercially).

You also violate patents by making or selling a device that uses the method. And the use doesn't have to be commercial.

The point is that if I sell you a GPS device that can read VFAT, I need a license for any patents that cover VFAT.

I don't even think ifdefs are necessary. Anything that prevents the VFAT code from running is probably just as effective at making VFAT patents irrelevant. But a kernel build configuration option might make a manufacture more confident that he isn't accidentally violating a patent.