Might it be possible to contact IBM directly and ask if they will allow usage of the patent for PostgreSQL. They've let 500 patents for open source, maybe they'll give a write off for this as well.
There is an advantage beyond just not having to re-write the code, but it would also be sort of an IBM blessing, great PR. I will be at "Linux World" and see if there is an IBM booth, maybe I can get some contact info. > FYI, core has discussed the pending IBM ARC patent and the usage of > those ideas in 8.0. > > Tom has found a 2Q cache algorithm that predates the ARC patent and is > very similar to ARC. The major difference is that it doesn't auto-size > the ARC sub-buffers. > > Core believes it is best to backpatch this 2Q algorithm into 8.0.X to > avoid any possible patent problems if the patent is granted and > enforced. > > We are testing the use of the 2Q code to see if it has any performance > impact. The 8.0.X release that uses 2Q will have more extensive testing > than a normal minor release. 8.1 will have a new cache algorithm that > hopefully will remove the buffer contention problems experienced by SMP > machines. > > For development, this means we will _not_ have a shortened, non-initdb > 8.1 release but a regular release cycle with the typical big batch of > features. > > -- > Bruce Momjian | http://candle.pha.pa.us > pgman@candle.pha.pa.us | (610) 359-1001 > + If your life is a hard drive, | 13 Roberts Road > + Christ can be your backup. | Newtown Square, Pennsylvania > 19073 > > ---------------------------(end of broadcast)--------------------------- > TIP 5: Have you checked our extensive FAQ? > > http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faq > ---------------------------(end of broadcast)--------------------------- TIP 7: don't forget to increase your free space map settings
