Fwd: Re: [PubSoft] Gates reveals Windows code to China

Forwarded:

>Gates reveals Windows code to China
>http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104-990526.html
>
>"Microsoft on Friday signed a pact with the Chinese
>government to reveal the Windows source code, making China
>among the first to benefit from its program to allay the
>security fears of governments ... The Chinese government and
>military have previously stated their preference for the
>rival Linux operating system because its source code is
>publicly available."

Comment:

>To: pubsoft@isoc.org
>From: S Woodside <sbwoodside@yahoo.com>
>Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2003 20:52:17 -0500
>Subject: Re: [PubSoft] Gates reveals Windows code to China
>
>Sorry about cross-posting but there's a serious issue with Shared Source
>that's not being well reported.
>
>Shared Source is potentially another incarnation of standard Microsoft
>tactics. Unlike any open source license, Shared Source includes a
>non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that must be agreed to before viewing the
>source code. The Shared Source source code thus remains a Trade Secret of
>the MS. This viral effect results in the viewer being tainted with
>Microsoft trade secrets upon viewing the source code. Microsoft can make a
>claim under trade secrecy law against any code the viewer writes
>thereafter. Certainly it is ridiculous to think that this person will be
>infringing MS's secrets (e.g., by writing code that implements a secret
>algorithm they viewed in the Shared Source) but the mere risk of
>litigation is enough to shut down many open source projects. Thus I
>recommend that you do not permit people who have viewed Shared Source to
>be involved in your open source projects, and as well, if you are involved
>in open source, please do not agree to the Shared Source license by
>viewing any Shared Source.
>
>It could potentially be a submarine tactic on MS's part.
>
>simon
>
>--
>www.simonwoodside.com -- 99% Devil, 1% Angel

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