[horde] ActiveSync licensing

[Michael J Rubinsky]

Quoting Ricardo Buchalla Auada <rauada at gmail.com>:

> Hi there !
>
> I have tried to understand about the protocol ActiveSync licencing model.
>
> But the only information so far I have found is an email from Jan Schneider
> explaining that if the server is hosted in Germany, there would have no
> need for licensing ...
>
> https://lists.horde.org/archives/horde/Week-of-Mon-20120514/044258.html
>
> Can anyone bring some more light over this issue ?

This is a complicated issue. As I have come to understand it, as the  
developers of a FOSS project that implements the protocol we are  
generally safe from the need for a license on the patent. As the owner  
of a server that installs the code provides this service to others,  
you may be required to license the patent. Another FOSS project,  
Z-Push (who is based in the EU and whose code we forked many years ago  
to base our ActiveSync library on) takes the view that a license is  
not required for installing the server software. You can Google for  
some of the discussions around that if you desire.

In the US you are technically required to license the patent if you  
are the owner of a server providing the protocol. In the EU I'm not  
sure (I am based in the US and unfamiliar with European patent  
issues). I do know that there have been licensing actions regarding  
EAS in the EU involving large companies. Again, you can search for the  
particulars on this.

Additionally, it's hard to come by authoritative information without  
speaking directly to MS since MS requires licensees to sign an NDA,  
preventing them from discussing the details. Your best bet to be 100%  
safe is to inquire with MS directly.

Standard disclaimer applies: I am not a lawyer nor have I  
contacted/received information from Microsoft regarding this issue.  
This is simply MY understanding of the current status of the issue.


> Best regards,
>
> --
> Ricardo Buchalla Auada
> --
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-- 
mike
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