>People really need to understand that patent lawsuits are almost >*never* about what you think they are. You should not expect that >Microsoft, or SalesForce, care about stopping your ability, or any >individuals ability, to do their work. It is strictly an asset for the >purposes of "negotiation" with other large companies. Patents are >assets.
For the sake of argument, these concerns were almost enough for mono developers to stop working. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13505_3-10280924-16.html Then again, it's a very grey area and most will choose to chance it. The article makes me wonder how much of the code we write on a day to day basis is infringing existing IP from wherever (ie, breaking copyright law).
