I pass this on with no comment.
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20091111094923390
"Lordy, lordy, lordy. They have no shame. It appears that Microsoft
has just patented sudo, a personalized version of it.
"Here it is, patent number7617530. Thanks, USPTO, for giving
Microsoft, which is already a monopoly, a monopoly on something that's
been in use since 1980 and wasn't invented by Microsoft. Here's
Wikipedia's description of sudo, which you can meaningfully compare to
Microsoft's description of its "invention".
"This is why what the US Supreme Court does about software patents
means so much. Hopefully they will address the topic in their decision
on Bilski. Sudo is an integral part of the functioning of GNU/Linux
systems, and you use it in Mac OSX also. Maybe the Supreme Court
doesn't know that, and maybe the USPTO didn't realize it. But do you
believe Microsoft knows it?
"Perhaps Microsoft would like everyone in the world to pay them a toll
at least, even if they don't want to use Microsoft's software? Like
SCO, but with more muscle behind the request? Or maybe it might be
used as a barrier to competition? What do you personally believe
Microsoft wants patents on things like sudo for? To make sure
innovative new companies can compete on an even playing field with
Microsoft?
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