CCIA Praises Sun Microsystems Announcement on Solaris

File Under: 2005, Copyright

Jan 25, 2005

Sun Microsystems took a major step today to increase the ongoing acceptance of open source software. Sun’s release of its Solaris code – over 9,000 total lines of code – will provide new tools for innovation and go a long way towards creating acceptance of open source software.

Sun’s new Common Development and Distribution License (CDDL) requires developers to give back to the community any modifications made to the open code. But the license also has flexibility, allowing any developer that combines the software (without modifying it) to another product to not release the changes. Even if that new product is released in a proprietary format. This will allow the software to grow and gain greater user acceptance quickly and under a variety of platforms.

Additionally, and perhaps the most important part of today’s announcement, is Sun’s opening of all patents associated with the source code. Sun joins other companies in indemnifying developers against possible claims of patent infringement. The CDDL license gives developers a safe haven against poorly vetted software patents and the silly lawsuits that follow. The confidence provided by this move will allow developers to create and be active without fear and uncertainty.

“Today’s announcement is an important step towards greater adoption of open source software,” said Ed Black, CCIA President & CEO. He continued, “We are excited by Sun’s announcement and pleased by the direction they are taking. This decision will add competition to the industry, give users greater innovation and broader services, and give developers a sense of momentum and confidence in the underlying code.”