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Microsoft forked MIT licensed repo and changed the copyright [fixed] (github.com)

1326 points by mkdirp · 1729 days ago · 538 comments on HN

Article summary

The article discusses a situation where Microsoft forked a repository and changed the copyright notice, which has sparked controversy. The original repository had an MIT license, but Microsoft's changes have raised questions about copyright infringement and license compliance. The details of the article are not available, but the discussion reveals a complex issue with potential legal implications. The incident has led to a debate about Microsoft's actions and their impact on the open-source community.

Main themes

  • Copyright infringement
  • MIT license compliance
  • Open-source software ethics
  • Microsoft's open-source practices
  • License terms and copyright notices
  • Power imbalance in legal disputes

What commenters say

  • Microsoft's actions constitute copyright infringement and a violation of the MIT license.
  • The changes made by Microsoft may have been an honest mistake, but still require scrutiny and correction.
  • The incident highlights the importance of respecting copyright notices and license terms in open-source software.
  • Microsoft's behavior is part of a larger pattern of disregarding open-source licenses and copyright holders' rights.
  • The company's actions may be intentional and not just a mistake, given the resources and expertise available to them.
  • The court of public opinion may be a more effective means of addressing the issue than legal action, due to the power imbalance between individuals and large corporations.
  • The original copyright holder has the right to sue Microsoft for copyright infringement, but may face significant challenges in pursuing legal action.
  • Microsoft could potentially resolve the issue by reversing the changes and appending the original MIT license to their version.