Microsoft takes on the free world: Microsoft claims that free software like Linux, which runs a big chunk of corporate America, violates 235 of its patents. It wants royalties from distributors and users. Users like you, maybe.
This scenario sounds very much like the SCO vs IBM lawsuit. Since the Baystar SCO funding did not suceed, then they are prepared to take a more direct approach. This what Microsoft's patent filings are all about. "In the meantime, with Microsoft seemingly barred from striking pacts with distributors, only one avenue appears open to it: paying more friendly visits to its Fortune 500 customers, seeking direct licenses.If push comes to shove, would Microsoft sue its customers for royalties, the way the record industry has? "That's not a bridge we've crossed," says CEO Ballmer, "and not a bridge I want to cross today on the phone with you." " (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/05/28/100033867/index.htm ) -- [email protected] http://www.kernel-panic.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/kplug-list
