"This week, Microsoft laid out the next chapter in their plans regarding patents and open source Linux software, by going public with the claim that Linux infringes on some 235 of their software patents. The first chapter in this story began back in November of last year, when Microsoft entered into a agreement with Novell. These events, in my opinion, form the most important dynamic today as to the future success of Linux. How will all of this affect open source software and Linux? What should the open source community do? And... What will Linspire do?"
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Member since:2006-01-02
The difference between the above cases of MS copying and Linux is that MS ended up paying Apple, Digital, and Xerox for their patents. They may not have paid before implementing it, but in all cases lawsuits were brought and the question was decided legally. Usually the decision involved a payment and everyone moved on.
Linux, on the other hand, has not faced such lawsuits. Microsoft knows how to compete with a business entity and as much as possible they want to force Linux into the mold of competitors they can handle. That's why they're giving relatively favorable deals to companies like Novell and that's why they were making offers to Red Hat. It is also in the interest of these Linux companies like Linspire to also be a part of this game (they'd like users to be forced to go to them and pay for their linux).
It's all a purely rational choice on the part of Microsoft. It might be a evil, but it's not really a sign of their decline or anything. It's just a sign that they believe that "Only the Paranoid Survive."
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2006-01-06
Member since:
2005-11-10
Well that is the same as saying MS stole the whole GUI idea from Apple who stole it from Xerox etc.
I mean MS as done the same stuff.
The reason why people decry MS is because at this point MS has soooooo much money and people who can look into patent issues they don't have the same excuse as a guy up late at night hacking.
MS is just worried that they have no future growth! Other countries and governments are learning that they need to break ties with MS because being tied to MS is the same as being tied to the US government. Have a problem with the US government and you may loose access to MS. (Plus who knows what kind of spy software is in Windows)
Anyway, I am sure there are tons of people out there just itching to sue MS for their theft. MS needs to pay up also!