Internal discussions on exFAT in the Linux Kernel have been made

Software & Operating Systems Linux
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Kernel developer Matthew Wilcox then looped in Ky Srinivasan who is the GM of Microsoft’s Enterprise Open-Source Group. Ky said he has started an internal discussion at Microsoft over the possibility of getting Microsoft’s blessing for exFAT in the Linux kernel / ensuring no patent issues, as the exFAT patents were supposedly left out when Microsoft joined OIN.

https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Linux-exFAT-2019-Discussion

This has been a big stumbling block because all SDXC and above cards use exFAT. Out of tree installation means a lot of people can be caught off guard, as this is not installed when “Install third party proprietary libraries” is selected as a installation option, leaving those trying to use SDXC and new to the Linux scene stumped.

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This would be cool. Didn’t they open source exFAT recently? If so, doesn’t that mostly take care of the licensing issues?

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In the quote, the exFAT patents were NOT included in the MS open source intiative.

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Sorry, I read that, but it didn’t register. :confused:

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Samsung was forced to open-source an exFAT implementation many years ago when they released a binary blob in one of their android-based tablets, but it must not have been suitable to include in the kernel.

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The patents are still active. That’s why it can’t be included as of now.

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I thought MS wanted to maintain the patents to keep the revenue from licensing deals from all theose card makers / phone companies?

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I don’t see why. You can dual-license software. Microsoft can say it’s GPL for the Linux kernel but still charge a commercial license to Samsung etc.

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They are, which is why it was left out of the patents expunged when they joined the Open Innovation Network.

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exFAT and WMV/WMA are 2 big pieces of MS tech preventing a smooth transition to Linux for some people.

exFAT can’t be included in the Kernel because of patents. WMV/WMA can’t be included in Proton because of patents and licensing, which FAudio for the FNA project relies on, and Media Foundation/Quartz relies on.

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So then, the way I understand this, is they’re working on a way to have it both ways.

I guess it makes sense, but it’s still mildly disappointing.

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They ended up releasing specs, see here-

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