Blackduck Software and IP

[Bill McGonigle]

On 2009-01-14 3:35 PM, Jeff Macdonald wrote:
> This isn't strictly Linux related, but a pointy-hair boss here
> mentioned to a peer of mine the desire to bring these folks in. I'm at
> a loss why any company would actually need such a service, so I'm
> wondering if any of you have anyinsight.

The Company probably doesn't but in many corporate cultures the job of 
the middle manager is to minimize risk and protect his career, not do 
great things for the Company.  I'm reading a book about why this 
destroys shareholder value, but, anyway, it's endemic.

Especially if the PHB doesn't understand Open Source he's likely to want 
a scapegoat, and these guys may sell scapegoat services.  You might look 
on the bright side that TPHTB didn't call in a Windows consultant.

> The company I work for doesn't ship any code. We simply use
> open source in house to provide services.

See SCO v. AutoZone, SCO v. Chrysler.  Autozone, at least, is still 
spending lawyer-dollars on this case, c., what, '03?  I haven't looked 
at the Chrysler case, but it's likely on Groklaw.  This is the reason 
I'm a former GNOME user...

> I would also think that once
> some sort of IP infringement is found, that would make the company
> more liable until such infringing code is removed/recoded.

Good question for the PHB to cover with the corporate attorneys.  Some 
companies have taken this approach WRT patent searches and stuff, but I 
think it's a business decision for somebody with a corner office to make.

-Bill

-- 
Bill McGonigle, Owner           Work: 603.448.4440
BFC Computing, LLC              Home: 603.448.1668
bill at bfccomputing.com           Cell: 603.252.2606
http://www.bfccomputing.com/    Page: 603.442.1833
Blog: http://blog.bfccomputing.com/
VCard: http://bfccomputing.com/vcard/bill.vcf