Microsoft, co-author of the Linux kernel [LWN.net]

Microsoft, co-author of the Linux kernel

Posted Jul 18, 2011 14:40 UTC (Mon) by dag- (guest, #30207)
In reply to: Microsoft, co-author of the Linux kernel by giraffedata
Parent article: Who wrote 3.0 - from two points of view

Do you think Microsoft is getting a fair share ? I think they get more than they deserve, if they deserve anything at all. And no, we don't know how much they settle for patent-infringements with those large hardware vendors, but I don't think they deserve the tiniest bit.

Personally, if patents are there to protect corporate investments in research for the benefit of the general public, I do think the same general public should get full insight into patent settlements. I do think one (patent law) contradicts the other (closed patent-infringement settlements).

How can we make laws to protect the general public, if we don't know what backroom deals are made as a result of it? I also think if those deals were forced to be made public, support for patent law, especially in software development, will soon be impossible.

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Microsoft, co-author of the Linux kernel

Posted Jul 18, 2011 15:25 UTC (Mon) by giraffedata (guest, #1954) [Link]

Do you think Microsoft is getting a fair share ?

That's a little off-topic, since we're talking about whether there is some inconsistency or irony in Microsoft contributing code to Linux while claiming that Linux infringes some Microsoft patents. The only thing that would be relevant is whether Microsoft thinks it's getting its fair share (because if it does, then I must be wrong about Microsoft's motivation in making claims of Linux patent infringement).