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About the status of Microsoft .NET
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From: |
sirdigimon |
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Subject: |
About the status of Microsoft .NET |
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Date: |
Fri, 15 Dec 2023 01:21:56 +0000 |
Hello!
I am writing to this email directory to ask specifically about the programming environment that powers C# known as Microsoft .NET (see
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.NET for a basic overview) , more specifically, about its status and inclusion on software repositories across GNU/Linux distributions (like Trisquel GNU/Linux, Parabola GNU/Linux, etc.) given its primary issue: Its software patents.
To my absolute knowledge, the repository that contains the actual files powering the programming language goes with a MIT-licensed file that covers the project itself. But, .NET is a successor of Mono, and Mono, previously, already had patent issues
better explained at https://www.fsf.org/news/dont-depend-on-mono
Further, the thread at https://trisquel.info/en/forum/net-core-open-source showcases a few interesting links on the topic, in particular being: http://endsoftpatents.org/2014/11/ms-net/ the most important one, as far as relevancy goes with the project itself. Because it covers the current state of .NET and the uncertainty of the situation surrounding the topic of patents (Due to lack of a prior case of any free software, published under the X11/MIT license, having legal issues with software patents or a court case surrounding it)
My other reason for writing this is due to the packages already being hosted on repositories of free software distributions but not having any entry on the FSF directory listing, which I find rather odd. Due to these reasons, I'd like to hear more opinions on the topic, as Microsoft only granted a "patent promise" but no explicit license means that we are in theoretical danger of MS turning their back and showcasing an aggressive position against the free software community once more through the use of software patents. As projects with an MIT license does not covers protections over them software patents (to my knowledge, but if anyone can chime in to correct me or more, that'd be most welcome).
Cheers!
An user of GNU/Linux software, SirDigimon.