Microsoft May Indemnify Some Red Hat Linux Users (eWeek)

Microsoft May Indemnify Some Red Hat Linux Users (eWeek)

I really do not understand why these conversations are even taking place.
Microsoft's stance on software patents is clear, and ALWAYS has been.

"If people had understood how patents would be granted when most of today's
ideas were invented and had taken out patents, the industry would be at a
complete standstill today. ...
The solution is patenting as much as we can.
A future startup with no patents of its own will be forced to pay whatever
price the giants choose to impose. That price might be high. Established
companies have an interest in excluding future competitors."

--Bill Gates, from internal Microsoft corp Memo.

As quoted by Fred Warshofsky in "Patent Wars" circa 1994, and
again by Lawrence Lessig at his keynote to OSCON back in '02
which can be read here;
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/policy/2002/08/15/lessig....

In short, Microsoft views patents as (amongst other things) a club
with which to beat competitors into submission. Last I checked, this
was contrary to the 'intention' of patent and trademark law. However,
no effective action has been taken to curb Microsoft's tendancy to behave
in this manner.

I repeat no effective action has been taken. Ever. Yes, there have been a
few minor wrist slaps over the years, and they have paid out monies and
other compensations to settle lawsuits provided none of the participants
disclose the details, but at the end of the day, , , well, their actions
tell the whole truth. US Department of Justice rulings notwithstanding.

Standard Oil was broken up over a whole lot less.