Re: TomTom, the GPL and patents

[David Kastrup]

Hyman Rosen <hyrosen@mail.com> writes:

> Rjack wrote:
>> Never in his wildest dreams will a GPL licensor control software
>> patents he *doesn't* own with a copyright grant that he does own
>
> Of course not. A GPL licensor only controls software patents that
> he *does* own. He grants free use of those patents required for
> the software that he distributes.
>
> Why do you think anyone is trying to control software patents that
> they don't own?

I think he is just confusing the realms of control.  If I own a house,
that does not give me control over the bricks of my neighbor.  But that
does not imply that he is free to throw the bricks through my window.
Not because I am in control of the bricks, but of the window.

-- 
David Kastrup