Microsoft to put exFAT support into the kernel

Linux support for the exFAT filesystem has had a long and troubled history; Microsoft haslong asserted patents in this area that have prevented that code from beingmerged into the kernel. Microsoft has just changed its tune, announcingthat upstreaming exFAT is now OK: "It's important to us that theLinux community can make use of exFAT included in the Linux kernel withconfidence. To this end, we will be making Microsoft's technicalspecification for exFAT publicly available to facilitate development ofconformant, interoperable implementations. We also support the eventualinclusion of a Linux kernel with exFAT support in a future revision of theOpen Invention Network's Linux System Definition, where, once accepted, thecode will benefit from the defensive patent commitments of OIN's 3040+members and licensees."