Microsoft Demands $15 for Every Samsung Android Phone Sold
Linked by Thom Holwerda on Wed 6th Jul 2011 14:00 UTC
Microsoft Well, paint me red and call me a girl scout, I totally did not see this one coming at all. This is so utterly surprising it made my brain explode. Hold on to your panties, because this will rock your world. After pressuring several smaller Android vendors into submission (and yes, HTC is still relatively small compared to other players), Microsoft is now moving on to the big one: Redmond is demanding $15 for every Samsung Android device sold. Samsung's choices are simple: pay up, or face another epic lawsuit.
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RE: It's offical OSNews is /.
by Thom_Holwerda on Wed 6th Jul 2011 18:59 UTC in reply to "It's offical OSNews is /."
Thom_Holwerda
Member since:
2005-06-29

1) Holwerda your knowledge and understanding of software patents is limited to a personal bias and a bunch of wikipedia reading. You are so wrong about it I would suggest rereading at least 3x before you hit that submit button.


On which counts am I wrong? Could you elaborate? Be more specific?

2) Samsung approached Microsoft in this instance not the other way around. By all accounts they are negotiating the price not debating whether to pay. It is not extortion.


Got any proof to back up that claim? I'm interested, because I haven't seen it made anywhere else as of yet. I'd love to know if it's indeed true Samsung approached Microsoft.

However, even if they did, it doesn't really change anything about this being extortion. If I have a group of thugs beat up everyone in your town except you, and then the group of thugs stands in front of your house, waiting, hand-wringing - you'd try to work something out or fight back, right? Isn't that the same as extortion?

3) Android infringes on many levels. If you continue to say it isn't so with all this mounting evidence then you're blind. Wait till Oracle starts getting their piece.


I never denied that it did. I think few did. It's just that a majority - at least here on OSNews, and in Europe - think software patents should be illegal.

4) Google/Rubin have ensnared everyone (even the revenue from independent software developers writing apps for Android are in theory liable) with their Kool-Aid. Some of us pointed this out when this whole love affair ("We will revolutionize the mobile industry!") started and were largely ignored. Reap what you sow bitches. Personally, I think it's their strategy: "Judge, how can you patent air?" "Judge, how can you shut down the economy of our nation? Issuing an injunction when we refuse to pay is against national security interests" etc etc.


I honestly don't know what this rambling even means.

5) Google is attempting to become the Too Big To Fail of Silicon Valley. They will attempt to destroy software patents because they don't really care about making money from software, just ads and monetizing your privacy. The rest of you can fail, we are NOT evil, blah blah blah.


This I somewhat grasp through the clear issues you seem to have with Google. Heck, I don't like Google either, but if they manage to destroy software patents? Good on 'm.

6) Consumers are idiots because they are led by a nonsensical media to support only two vendors in some Good v Evil mythology battle.


Okidoki man.

When I read the comments of all the "software developers" in this thread deploring the state of software patents, all I can respond is "Really?"

Did you not realize this is the industry in which you work? These were the rules of the game? Oh, that's right you're a bunch of cubicle drones and leave all the real thinking to the suits in the offices you deplore, or whatever. Seriously, step outside of the reality distortion fields and think about what you're doing. It's your life. This is your bread and butter we are talking about here.


So, people are not allowed to complain about or fight against something they don't like just because they're part of it? Does this apply only to business and jobs, or also the government? Should I accept the sad fact that a right-wing extremist is in my government and just shut up about it because these are the rules of the game?

Fascinating view on life, there.

Reply Parent Score: 7