[ros-dev] Idea to protect ReactOS

[Casper Hornstrup]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ros-dev-bounces at reactos.com 
> [mailto:ros-dev-bounces at reactos.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Smith
> Sent: 22. november 2004 17:39
> To: ReactOS Development List
> Subject: [ros-dev] Idea to protect ReactOS
> 
> With the issue of Ekush  talking about sending us patches 
> once they publish thier code and what not I as many of you 
> are worried about being tainted, I have an idea, but I don't 
> know how safe it is from a GPL stand point (I know nothing of 
> the GPL)  here's the idea, when we get patches that are 
> questionable from *any* source,  we send MS a copy of the 
> suggested patch,  and request they compare it with thier code 
> to see if it is differant or  the same as thier Windows code, 
>  if MS comes back and says it's teh same we delete the patch 
> and move on...
> 
> I know this idea sounds bad but we need to discuss a plan for 
> any potential tainting and how we'd deal with it, please if 
> you don't like my idea then please by all means suggest 
> something else.

It is not Microsofts job to check that our code doesn't violate
IP laws. Just opening a support request at Microsoft is about
$580 (at least here in Denmark; it has been several months since
I've done that though). Do you really think they will look through
our source code for free?

We are better off using common sense and not accepting large
patches. The source code doesn't even have to be from Microsoft
in order to violate IP laws.

Btw. can someone design a new mouse pointer. Our mouse pointer is
100% equal to the Windows XP one.

Casper