On Sunday 20 May 2007 01:06:46 Guy Johnston wrote: > If you live in the UK (as I assume because this is a mailing list aimed at > people in the UK, and from the address at the bottom of your message), I'm > not sure this will work. As far as I know, Microsoft's specific claims > about patents only apply to the US, and a particular patent only applies in > the country where it was applied for (except maybe in the EU). Also, as far > as I know, software idea patents can't be granted in the EU (at least > theoretically). So either way, if you're in the UK, I don't think Microsoft > are even claiming to be able to sue you.
It doesn't strike me as a legitimate claim either in the US, either. Rather, it seems like a libelous campaign to make people think twice about using Free Software/Open Source, even if they had previously been interested. In that context, I think this is a very good way to fight back, by showing --- not Microsoft, but the general public --- that no one is concerned by Microsoft's BS. I'm only sorry that any mention of Microsoft by the FOSS movement doesn't automatically assign the title "Convicted Monopolist". That would go a long way, in discussions with schools etc. about which they should use, and who they should trust. -- Lee _______________________________________________ Fsfe-uk mailing list [email protected] http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/fsfe-uk
