Microsoft's proclamation on GPLv3 [LWN.net]

Microsoft's proclamation on GPLv3

Posted Jul 6, 2007 15:54 UTC (Fri) by danieldk (guest, #27876)
Parent article: Microsoft's proclamation on GPLv3

Even if Microsoft is not bound by the GPLv3 if it is proven that Microsoft is not a distributor of GPLv3-ed software, it will block new patent deals with Linux distributors. Effectively, this means the end of the Microsoft tax scheme they seemed to want to build. Now, their only route to royalty fees is patent litigation. Which is tricky for them, because it allows for patent busting, working around patents, as well as OIN retaliation.

(Log in to post comments)

Microsoft's proclamation on GPLv3

Posted Jul 6, 2007 23:09 UTC (Fri) by mmarq (guest, #2332) [Link]

"" Now, their only route to royalty fees is patent litigation. Which is tricky for them, because it allows for patent busting, working around patents, as well as OIN retaliation. ""

And specially a good dose of market losing too, done in a fashion that Microsoft patents and licenses cant touch.

IMO that is the central point. Patents and or licenses are only a mean to a money end to them. If some technology will start gaining substantial market share and they cant apply a tax, then automatically their licenses and patents will lose importance and value.

I believe that contrary to the common survival instinct impulse, they will not litigate as a last resort if their IP assets lose importance and value. They'll try to do it when its wort is still significantly high.