Code, not patents, for Microsoft open source foundation

Microsoft has created the CodePlex Foundation, which claims it intends to bridge the gap between the open-source communities and commercial software companies.

Microsoft has contributed $1m to the foundation and has filled out its board and advisory panel with many Microsoft staffers, including Sam Ramji, who is leaving Microsoft as its open source point man but is also becoming not-for-profit CodePlex Foundation's interim president.

The Codeplex Foundation FAQ states: "We wanted a foundation that addresses a full spectrum of software projects, and does so with the licensing and intellectual property needs of commercial software companies in mind."

The About page adds companies will contribute code, not patents, which could cause the existing open-source community to avoid the CodePlex Foundation.

However, that's not likely to be audience the foundation is aiming for - it's more likely to target purely Microsoft companies and developers, and attempt to get them to open up a little. Allowing these companies to keep their patents will make it easier for them to engage in the Microsoft ecosystem but not in the wider open source world.

Original article: Microsoft creates open source foundation from ZDNet Australia