Armaggedon [LWN.net]

Armaggedon

Posted May 14, 2007 18:03 UTC (Mon) by drag (subscriber, #31333)
In reply to: Armaggedon by fandom
Parent article: Microsoft takes on the free world (CNN)

Designing to be patent free is does not mean that they actually are patent-free.

The designers for PNG, Ogg, and other such things, in reality, have absolutely no say in whether or not they are actually patent-free. Sure they can avoid the compression stuff used in Gif, but that doesn't mean that there are not a dozen other patents that they may infringe on.

The closest analog I can think of right now is that Free software exists in a patent minefield. Both our 'friends' in places like IBM, Intel, Novell, and other such people and our 'enemies' like Microsoft and friends.

We are dealing with, literally, hundreds of new patents each month. Microsoft may get 80 or more patents awarded in one go.

We are dealing with a legal disaster of biblical proportions.

Despite the distastefulness of the situation probably the only think that is holding back on the Microsoft full out attack is that Microsoft still feels the desktop market is safe from Linux AND the Linux friends (Novell, IBM, Nokia, etc etc) together probably have more patents then Microsoft does.

It really depends on how valuable Linux and OSS is to these other large patent holders. Are they willing to stick their own necks out to protect Free software?

That's what I figure at least.

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Armaggedon

Posted May 14, 2007 22:43 UTC (Mon) by mmarq (guest, #2332) [Link]

"" Microsoft full out attack is that Microsoft still feels the desktop market is safe from Linux AND the Linux friends (Novell, IBM, Nokia, etc etc) together probably have more patents then Microsoft does. ""

Their isnt an attack yet, its only a shake down... but MS intention can only mean *full spectrum dominance*, they'll try to cut some deals advantageous to them with Novell, IBM, Nokia, etc etc... on the account of this treath. Users interests and small developers are out !

"" It really depends on how valuable Linux and OSS is to these other large patent holders. Are they willing to stick their own necks out to protect Free software? ""

Dont count too much on that. If the heat gets too intense they will settle with MS. OSS best defence rely on independent organizations like EFF, and the ability to invalidate patents and counter-attack wherever possible.