Tuxera Releases GPL-Compliant FAT32 Replacement Package for Android
Combines FAT, FAT32, exFAT and NTFS Proprietary Modules for Linux Kernel
HELSINKI, FINLAND — November 24, 2010 — Tuxera Inc., the leading provider of Windows-compatible file systems for Android, Linux, Mac and other platforms, announced today the release of a complete, GPL-compliant FAT32 replacement package for Android and Linux. The package combines Tuxera’s high-performance, proprietary FAT, FAT32, exFAT and NTFS drivers into easy-to-deploy modules that work with all Android and Linux kernel versions.
“Companies who have licensed FAT patents from Microsoft cannot use the publicly available GPL-licensed VFAT implementation,” noted Mikko Välimäki, Tuxera CEO and recognized open source legal expert. “If you don’t license Microsoft patents, you risk a patent lawsuit. If you license the patents, you need to also replace the GPL software in Linux, or you risk a copyright lawsuit.”
Unlike other file system vendors Tuxera works closely together with operating system manufacturers to make sure IP issues and legal compliance is taken care of. Tuxera for example became the first file system vendor to license exFAT patents and source code from Microsoft in 2009.
“The complete FAT32 replacement solution is to include not only proprietary FAT and FAT32 drivers but also exFAT and NTFS drivers. Both exFAT and NTFS lift the 4GB file size limit, which seriously compromises the use of FAT32 in HD video applications,” noted Szabolcs Szakacsits, Tuxera President and CTO. “exFAT is required for the next-generation SDXC memory card support. NTFS is needed for universal PC compatibility because NTFS has been the default Windows file system from the mid 1990s to Windows 7 and beyond.”
Tuxera’s FAT32 Replacement Package is available now for Android and Linux. Please contact for more information.