Microsoft joins OIN - I think Samba is covered !

[Jeremy Allison]

Hi all,

This morning Microsoft announced they are joining the OIN
Software Patent pool which protects Linux systems.

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/microsoft-joins-open-invention-network-to-help-protect-linux-and-open-source/

Looking at the definition of "Linux System" here:

https://www.openinventionnetwork.com/joining-oin/linux-system/

"The Linux Environment Components consist of the software packages
identified below in Tables 1 and 2, as such packages’ currently-released
source code as of November 8, 2005 is identified on the OIN website"

and if we drill down further on tables 1&2

https://www.openinventionnetwork.com/joining-oin/linux-system/linux-system-table/?cat_id=3&type=table

I see: "850   samba"

Woo Hoo ! I think we're covered for all Samba releases from
2005 onwards !

This is *great* news for users/vendors/OEMs/support vendors
who might have been concerned about patent issues around SMB1/2/3 !

(Note this is not legal advice, just my opinion - IANAL).

Thanks Microsoft, this is much appreciated and has been
awaited eagerly for a *long* time !

Jeremy.