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Here we go again...Here we go again...Posted Oct 12, 2007 13:45 UTC (Fri) by Holmes1869 (guest, #42043)In reply to: Here we go again... by dion Parent article: Patent Infringement Lawsuit Filed Against Red Hat and Novell - Just Like Ballmer Predicted (Groklaw)
There's a chance, but since the SCO thing was so easily destroyed (thanks to everyone that contributed to that in one way or another), perhaps they'll be a bit more cautious. The financial press will cover it, but hopefully there won't be any big cover stories (Was Darl on the cover of Forbes or Fortune? Can't remember.).
I support the idea of having patents, and I think the founders of our country had really good intentions. But at some point in time, you/Congress have to say "This makes no sense for software." As a citizen of the greatest producer of wealth in this world, the thing that scares me most about this type of litigation is the loss of productivity. Production in all forms (manufacturing, software, etc.) is a beautiful thing. I'd hate to see it decrease because of ridiculous lawsuits.
Here's to hoping that Red Hat and Novell actually fight this one out. I wish Apple would have.
Cheers
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Here we go again... Posted Oct 12, 2007 16:27 UTC (Fri) by boudewijn (subscriber, #14185) [Link] According to Gibbon at least, endless lawsuits was what brought down theWest Roman empire...
Here we go again... Posted Oct 12, 2007 20:59 UTC (Fri) by dmarti (subscriber, #11625) [Link] Well, if you live in Europe, please clip and send the news of this case to your government and member of the European Parliament. Let them know what they're in for if the software patent lobbyists in Europe get their way.
Here we go again... Posted Oct 13, 2007 15:39 UTC (Sat) by gravious (guest, #7662) [Link] Is that a joke :) ? I'll bite anyway! From Wikipedia (not in any way definitive but you know...):According to Gibbon, the Roman Empire succumbed to barbarian invasions because of a loss of civic virtue among its citizens.[3] They had become lazy and soft, outsourcing their duties to defend their Empire to barbarian mercenaries, who then became so numerous and ingrained that they were able to take over the Empire. Romans, he believed, had become effeminate, unwilling to live a tougher, "manly" military lifestyle. Blackwater *cough* fundamental Evangelicals *cough* *cough* More on topic: I believe the patent and copyright mess is symptomatic of the Friedman-esque rampant corporatism of G7 governance and until the mess very measurably becomes a drag on productivity or GNP growth the suits won't do a thing. I am aware that is all quite abstract and sound-bitey. With reference to the lawsuit, I believe it will come as a surprise to IP Innovation (oh the irony) that litigating a part of our community incurs the wrath of all.
Here we go again... Posted Oct 12, 2007 17:50 UTC (Fri) by mikov (subscriber, #33179) [Link] Here's to hoping that Red Hat and Novell actually fight this one out. I wish Apple would have. I don't think they have a choice. They wouldn't be able to distribute GPL software if they licensed the patent. Unless they bought the patent and put it into the public domain, I guess ?
Here we go again... Posted Oct 12, 2007 22:16 UTC (Fri) by drag (subscriber, #31333) [Link] They can patent GPL'd software as long as they agree to let anybody else use the patent freely if they use that GPL code.
They don't have to release it to the public domain, per say, they just have to agree to not to sue.
If they like they could add the patent to the OIN and use it as a weapon to help defend Free software from agressive lawsuite-friendly software companies.
Unfortunately against IP trolls like this IP Innovations place it's worthless.
IP Innovations don't actually produce anything so since they don't make any software or distribute any software or provide anything of any kind they can't violate patents. Their sole purpose in life is to threaten companies that actually do stuff.
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