I find it interesting, that after the end-around MS did to the laws in the '90s, they are now screaming to the courts. And if it takes 3-5 years for the courts to rule, MS won't be around anymore. (The revenge for OS/2)
Tom Duerbusch THD Consulting >>> "McKown, John" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 5/14/2007 10:31 AM >>> -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Warner Mach Sent: Monday, May 14, 2007 8:15 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Microsoft Claims It All Microsoft has dropped the other shoe. It claims that Linux infringes on 235 of its patents and it wants payment: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/05/28/100033 867/index.htm My personal theory is that they have read the paper by open-source philosophers Eric Raymond and Rob Landley ('World Domination 201') which maintains that we are at the start of 64-bit operating systems and that is a 'tipping point'. The new standard for future decades will be set by either Microsoft or Apple or Linux ... So, failing any kind of technical excellence, all Microsoft has to do is keep the FUD and litigation going for the next five or ten years. http://www.catb.org/~esr/writings/world-domination/world-domination-201. html === Thought ya'll might be interested. Not really very specific, at least in the article. <quote> But he does break down the total number allegedly violated - 235 - into categories. He says that the Linux kernel - the deepest layer of the free operating system, which interacts most directly with the computer hardware - violates 42 Microsoft patents. The Linux graphical user interfaces - essentially, the way design elements like menus and toolbars are set up - run afoul of another 65, he claims. The Open Office suite of programs, which is analogous to Microsoft Office, infringes 45 more. E-mail programs infringe 15, while other assorted FOSS programs allegedly transgress 68. </quote> My favorite blog, on this subject: http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20070513234519615 -- John McKown Senior Systems Programmer HealthMarkets Keeping the Promise of Affordable Coverage Administrative Services Group Information Technology The information contained in this e-mail message may be privileged and/or confidential. It is for intended addressee(s) only. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, reproduction, distribution or other use of this communication is strictly prohibited and could, in certain circumstances, be a criminal offense. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by reply and delete this message without copying or disclosing it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For LINUX-390 subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: INFO LINUX-390 or visit http://www.marist.edu/htbin/wlvindex?LINUX-390 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For LINUX-390 subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: INFO LINUX-390 or visit http://www.marist.edu/htbin/wlvindex?LINUX-390
