Global Time Zone Database Closed In Lawsuit!

Original author: Stilgherrian
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TZ_database , a key source of time zone information in the software world, is closed due to copyright infringement charges.

The closure was initiated in connection with a lawsuit from Astrolabe Inc (manufacturer of software for astrologers) against 2 physical. individuals, Arthur David Olson and Paul R. Eggert, DB maintainers since the mid 80s, September 30 in Boston - www.scribd.com/doc/67760407/ASTROLABE-INC-Vs-ARTHUR-DAVID-OLSON-and-PAUL-EGGERT- Complaint .

The lawsuit is based on the use of historical time zone data from The American Atlas by Thomas G Shanks and The International Atlas by Shanks and Rique Pottenger.

The lawsuit does not affect the current information in tz_database. Despite this, Olson reportedthat the ftp database at elsie.nci.nih.gov is closed, as well as the mailing list of the project.

Correct time zone information is necessary for proper event logging and automatic processing at the right time.

“The situation is that now there is no central source of time zone information,” writes British Java developer, Stefan Colburn, “This was undoubtedly a key tool for determining the exact time.”

Olson’s TZ_database is used for time zone operations in large the amount of software, such as OS X, most distributions of Linux, Solaris, Oracle, JRE, PHP, various Perl and Python modules, the .NET Framework time zone module.

There is only one significant exception - the Microsoft software maker uses its proprietary time zone database.

Without a trusted time zone database, each software project will have to keep track of changes in time zones independently. But decisions about changes in time zones are sometimes made so quickly that not everyone can make this information.

“This information is so important that it should be supported by a group with better legal and financial support,” writes Colburn.

“I urge industry leaders, IBM, Oracle, Apple, Google, RedHat to intervene, we are waiting for your move.”

UPD: This comment explains very well what the base is and why it is needed.

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