+

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

Close
HomeQuizzoneWhatsappShare Flash Reads
 

Linus Torvalds, creator of the Linux operating system, warned developers not to use an Oracle-owned file system because of the company's 'litigious nature'

Jan 13, 2020, 23:36 IST
  • Linus Torvalds, the developer who created the widely-used open source operating system Linux, warned users not to use the ZFS file system, Phoronix's Michael Larabel first reported.
  • ZFS was built by Sun Microsystems, which has since been acquired by Oracle.
  • Torvalds said he does not feel "safe" adding ZFS code to Linux because of Oracle's "litigious nature," citing Oracle's ongoing lawsuit against Google for "stealing" Java technology.
  • Google and its supporters charge that an Oracle victory in that lawsuit would have a chilling effect on software innovation - and Torvalds' comments highlight how Oracle's stance in the matter might affect the company's perception in the world of open source.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The renowned programmer Linus Torvalds has warned users of Linux, the popular open source operating system he built, not to use an Oracle file system because of possible legal actions, Phoronix's Michael Larabel first reported.

Advertisement

The file system, called ZFS, was built by Sun Microsystems, which has since been acquired by Oracle. Torvalds wrote in an online forum on Jan. 6 that he does not feel "safe" in adding ZFS code to the Linux project because of Oracle's tendency to file lawsuits against other companies, including an ongoing legal brawl between Google and Oracle.

"Other people think it can be ok to merge ZFS code into the kernel and that the module interface makes it ok, and that's their decision," Torvalds wrote. "But considering Oracle's litigious nature, and the questions over licensing, there's no way I can feel safe in ever doing so."

Complimentary Tech Event
Transform talent with learning that works
Capability development is critical for businesses who want to push the envelope of innovation.Discover how business leaders are strategizing around building talent capabilities and empowering employee transformation.Know More

Oracle has accused Google of "stealing" its Java technology to build the Android operating system,

Oracle's lawsuit against Google, which is over "stealing" Java technology for Google's Android system and could cost Google as much as $9 billion, is set to go to the Supreme Court this year. Google and its supporters in the case have argued that an Oracle victory in this case would have a chilling effect on software innovation.

Advertisement

Through that lens, Torvalds' comments highlight how Oracle's standing in the matter might affect its reputation in the open source software world, potentially steering programmers away from its products and services.

What's more, ZFS and Linux have different licenses, and according to an FAQ about ZFS on Linux, the combination of the two licenses could potentially cause problems and prevent users from using code exclusively available under one license with code exclusively available under the other.

Torvalds wrote that there is "no way" he can merge any ZFS code until he gets an official letter from Oracle signed by its main legal counsel, or by executive chairman and CTO Larry Ellison saying that it's fine to do so.

Torvalds said that if other users choose to add ZFS, "they are on their own," as he can't maintain it.

"Don't use ZFS," Torvalds wrote. "It's that simple. It was always more of a buzzword than anything else, I feel, and the licensing issues just make it a non-starter for me. The benchmarks I've seen do not make ZFS look all that great."

Advertisement

Got a tip? Contact this reporter via email at rmchan@businessinsider.com, Signal at 646.376.6106, Telegram at @rosaliechan, or Twitter DM at @rosaliechan17. (PR pitches by email only, please.) Other types of secure messaging available upon request. You can also contact Business Insider securely via SecureDrop.

Next Article