On Wed, May 03, 2000 at 06:22:55PM +0000, Bjorn Reese wrote:
> The same scenario applies to embedding the Gecko engine from the
> Mozilla project into an application. Several major companies [1],
> do this, and more are in the process of doing so. It seems (although
> I have no idea what legal advice they have received) like the
> benefits of using the Open Source code has outweighted the legal
> concerns with respect to infringement of third-party claims.
Well, IANAL, but (especially in US legal system with software and business
process patents) the risks are the same for internal and external code.

Demonstration: As there are daily patents, etc. issued, NOBODY can be sure
if their product is infringing on third party intellectual property.

Actually, one can claim, that OpenSource software, through its informal
peer review process, is less likely to be troublesome, because possible claims
might already have surfaced with other users. With "closed-source" code,
(either your own internal code, or thirdparty licensed code. And while
 contracts might protect you somehow, third party "partners", especially
 small and middlesized ones, could always go bankrupt. :( )
there is no public discussion of possible problems, so all checks rest 100%
upon your legal department.

Andreas

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