Re: Does GNUstep infringe on Apple's Intellectual Property?

[Jak]

On Sun, 24 Aug 2003 23:17:02 -0400
John Anderson <janderson3272@wideopenwest.com> wrote:

> I want to clarify what I am concerned about.
> 
> I am sure that GNUstep is an original implementation of the OpenStep /
> Cocoa interface.
But OpenStep specifications are open, aren't they ? Or is there some
restrictions by NeXT/Apple in implementing such thing ? If
specifications
are publicly available, how NeXT/Apple can sue some guys who use it for
implementing their own framework ?

Moreover, we should learning IP rights : what is their application
domain ? What can be protected under these laws ? And it's probably
different in every country. The most important is to find the licencing
terms for implementing OpenStep framework. Remember that MS CIFS/Netbios
documentation can't be used to develop code under a copyleft licence,
but I don't think that NeXT/Apple put a so strong restriction on his
specifications.

Jakob

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