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Microsoft wants its exFAT file system in the Linux kernel

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Martin Iturbide:
Here it is an interesting article:


--- Quote ---Today, however, Microsoft announced that it is supporting the addition of exFAT to the Linux kernel and publishing the technical specifications for exFAT.
--- End quote ---


--- Quote ---In addition to wanting it to become part of the Linux kernel, Microsoft also says that it hopes that the exFAT specs will become part of the Open Invention Network’s  Linux definition.
--- End quote ---

If this is actually true and not a trick, it may solve our issue on why the FAT32 project got forked by Arca Noae. Since the FAT32 project (Netlabs / Valerius) included exFAT support, AN didn't want any reference to it because of the risk on getting sue by Microsoft.  Now it may change, let's see how things evolve on this subject.

References
- https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/28/microsoft-wants-to-bring-exfat-to-the-linux-kernel/
- https://venturebeat.com/2019/08/28/microsoft-wants-its-exfat-file-system-in-the-linux-kernel/
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/fileio/exfat-specification

Paul Smedley:
Should be part of linux kernel 5.4 - due before the end of the year... https://itsfoss.com/linux-kernel-5-4/

ivan:
I can't help wondering if this is the 'extend' phase of Microsoft's takeover strategy that always ends with 'extinguish'.  After all Ms has been very well known for its 'Embrace', 'Extend', 'Extinguish' strategy although the US DoJ called it 'embrace, extend, exterminate'.

Lars:

--- Quote from: Martin Iturbide on October 01, 2019, 10:56:30 pm ---Here it is an interesting article:


--- Quote ---Today, however, Microsoft announced that it is supporting the addition of exFAT to the Linux kernel and publishing the technical specifications for exFAT.
--- End quote ---


--- Quote ---In addition to wanting it to become part of the Linux kernel, Microsoft also says that it hopes that the exFAT specs will become part of the Open Invention Network’s  Linux definition.
--- End quote ---

If this is actually true and not a trick, it may solve our issue on why the FAT32 project got forked by Arca Noae. Since the FAT32 project (Netlabs / Valerius) included exFAT support, AN didn't want any reference to it because of the risk on getting sue by Microsoft.  Now it may change, let's see how things evolve on this subject.

References
- https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/28/microsoft-wants-to-bring-exfat-to-the-linux-kernel/
- https://venturebeat.com/2019/08/28/microsoft-wants-its-exfat-file-system-in-the-linux-kernel/
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/fileio/exfat-specification

--- End quote ---

So how is this to be interpreted:
https://venturebeat.com/2019/08/28/microsoft-wants-its-exfat-file-system-in-the-linux-kernel/

</quote>
To be clear, Microsoft isn’t open-sourcing exFAT — but it is making sure anyone building with Linux can use it. “It’s important to us that the Linux community can make use of exFAT included in the Linux kernel with confidence.”
<quote>

Martin Iturbide:
Hi

I understand that MS can even open source exFAT source code under GNU GPL V2, but can still reserve the right of the patent to sue everyone that uses it. But it will depend on the conditions on how they give away the specification to the Linux community. If the conditions apply to every open source software, it will be good for us.

According to the article post by Lars it only applies to the Linux Kernel, which means BSD, OS/2 and other OSes not based in the Linux kernel may have a risk of getting sue. (and there is always a risk)

Here it is ZDNet article: https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-readies-exfat-patents-for-linux-and-open-source/

I would really like to check the conditions of the "Open Invention Network (OIN)". Maybe if AN will turn a member of the OIN will reduce the risk of getting sue. But I don't like that the OIN page says "OIN's mission is to enable Linux", I would prefer to "enable open source"  ;D

Regards

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