TechAdmin @ VibrantLivingMinistries wrote:
And Alan, when you say that this applies to all software, do you mean all
open source software, or all software in a particular jurisdiction or from a
particular source, or all software in existence? Similarly, do you mean to
say this in the context of a requirement at law, or in the context of
contracting/licensing?? Again, I'd feel very grateful if you would be
willing to elaborate a bit.
Alan is not replying to anything that he quoted; he is not replying to
Frank at all. He is replying to this part of Jonathon's message:
4: Patents
The only patents that might be valid are enforcble only in the United
States, and then only at the pleasure of SCOTUS.
OOo is deliberately excluded from all patent protection
agreements that Microsoft has made with other companies. As
such, Microsoft has the option of pursuing legal action to
enforce its patents. It costs roughly US$1,000,000 for a
successful defense of a patent. The primary part of the
defense will be to overturn the patent that allegedly was
violated. A second part of that defense will be to prove
that the USPTO failed to adhere to US Statute law in issuing
the patent.
Jonathon is, of course, correct. As long as Microsoft's gangsterism is
permitted to flourish, /all/ non-Microsoft software is at risk.
--
John W. Kennedy
"Those in the seat of power oft forget their failings and seek only the
obeisance of others! Thus is bad government born! Hold in your heart
that you and the people are one, human beings all, and good government
shall arise of its own accord! Such is the path of virtue!"
-- Kazuo Koike. "Lone Wolf and Cub: Thirteen Strings" (tr. Dana Lewis)
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