On Microsoft's patent claims

Posted May 19, 2007 0:49 UTC (Sat) by giraffedata (guest, #1954)
In reply to: On Microsoft's patent claims by BackSeat
Parent article: On Microsoft's patent claims

but what would be the problem with a representative of the Linux community approaching Microsoft and saying, "We're concerned about these alleged patent infringements. Please tell us more so that we can put our house in order."

Microsoft has made it clear it's response would be, "no thanks."

Microsoft's general counsel says in the Fortune article he doesn't want to reveal what the patents are because if he does, people will begin filing challenges and Microsoft will have to spend money to respond. Since Microsoft has nothing to gain from revealing, it might as well wait to cross that bridge.

Since Linux is made by a huge unconnected group of people, the only way Linux could "get its house in order" is if Microsoft makes the list public.

Incidentally, I know some will compare this to the SCO case and point out that the longer Microsoft keeps the list a secret, the more infringing use will occur and Microsoft can soak those unintentional infringers for royalties. While wringing money out of IP was SCO's goal, there's no indication that's what Microsoft wants. What Microsoft wants is for Linux to stop competing with Windows, and if patent-protected capabilities are removed from Linux so only Windows has them, that satisfies Microsoft.