exFAT Is Coming to Linux
Microsoft has contributed exFAT patents to OIN and also published specifications.
exFAT is one of the most popular file systems used on external devices like SD cards and Flash drives. Microsoft collects license fees from the vendors that use exFAT in their products.
In an unexpected move, Microsoft made two decisions that make exFAT an "open" (but not open source) file format that anyone can use.
First, Microsoft is contributing all exFAT patents to OIN, which will allow its members to use exFAT without any legal threat from Microsoft.
Second, Microsoft has published the technical specification of exFAT that the Linux kernel community can now use to write exFAT drivers.
“It’s important to us that the Linux community can make use of exFAT included in the Linux kernel with confidence. To this end, we will be making Microsoft’s technical specification for exFAT publicly available to facilitate the development of conformant, interoperable implementations. We also support the eventual inclusion of a Linux kernel with exFAT support in a future revision of the Open Invention Network’s Linux System Definition, where, once accepted, the code will benefit from the defensive patent commitments of OIN’s 3040+ members and licensees,” said John Gossman, Microsoft Distinguished Engineer and Linux Foundation Board Member.
There already is an exFAT driver available as an external module, which users can install on their systems. Because of patents, the driver could not be included in the kernel. The announcement from Microsoft changes that.
The only issue with the existing exFAT driver is that it is based on code that was leaked from Samsung’s implementation of exFAT back in 2013. The kernel community could not touch the code because of patent issues, so it is not currently up to community standards.
Now the kernel community can take a stab at the existing code and clean it for the kernel. Soon, Linux users will have native support for exFAT.
Issue 269/2023
Buy this issue as a PDF
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Find SysAdmin Jobs
News
-
Kubuntu Focus Announces XE Gen 2 Linux Laptop
Another Kubuntu-based laptop has arrived to be your next ultra-portable powerhouse with a Linux heart.
-
MNT Seeks Financial Backing for New Seven-Inch Linux Laptop
MNT Pocket Reform is a tiny laptop that is modular, upgradable, recyclable, reusable, and ships with Debian Linux.
-
Ubuntu Flatpak Remix Adds Flatpak Support Preinstalled
If you're looking for a version of Ubuntu that includes Flatpak support out of the box, there's one clear option.
-
Gnome 44 Release Candidate Now Available
The Gnome 44 release candidate has officially arrived and adds a few changes into the mix.
-
Flathub Vying to Become the Standard Linux App Store
If the Flathub team has any say in the matter, their product will become the default tool for installing Linux apps in 2023.
-
Debian 12 to Ship with KDE Plasma 5.27
The Debian development team has shifted to the latest version of KDE for their testing branch.
-
Planet Computers Launches ARM-based Linux Desktop PCs
The firm that originally released a line of mobile keyboards has taken a different direction and has developed a new line of out-of-the-box mini Linux desktop computers.
-
Ubuntu No Longer Shipping with Flatpak
In a move that probably won’t come as a shock to many, Ubuntu and all of its official spins will no longer ship with Flatpak installed.
-
openSUSE Leap 15.5 Beta Now Available
The final version of the Leap 15 series of openSUSE is available for beta testing and offers only new software versions.
-
Linux Kernel 6.2 Released with New Hardware Support
Find out what's new in the most recent release from Linus Torvalds and the Linux kernel team.