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Microsoft is one of the companies pushing extremely hard for software patents in Europe. So it's more a case of them finally noticing an opportunity, and wanting to join the party...

That is true, Marshall Phelps is the man responsible for "productizing" IBM's patent portfolio to the tune of $2B revenue per year. He now works for Microsoft and heads up their IP division where he is trying to do even more for Billy.

They've learned from their mistakes however.

Microsoft was late to hop on the software patent bandwagon, but this is changing now.

Holy bejeebus, dude.

How many times are you going to post the same link?

If I post the link myself will I get the same indie slash-cred that you got?

Maybe I'll just repeat this on ALL your threads. +8 here I come!

MS hires their IP task master

In case you don't get it let me help, Phelps is not interested in protecting MS from submarine patents. He intends to assist MS in smashing any competition be they open source or proprietary.

burnin

MS preparing to do battle

burnin

MS is doing alot more than just filing patents. They are making other preparations as well. The SCO suit was just a litmus test.

burnin

Do not presume that MS's past use of patents for defensive purposes only means there is a low probability of threat to the Mono project...

MS has hired an IP manager who not only believes in but has spearheaded IP rampages.

"Marshall Phelps has long been a vocal advocate of the need for companies to take IP licensing seriously."

"...he inspired at his previous company, IBM, which is now reaping almost $2 billion a year from licensing its patents."

"At IBM we did a lot of it. We had lots of lawyers doing preparation and prosecution around the world. At Microsoft, we don't have anyone doing that, but we are going to start."

"According to Phelps, managers too often fall into the trap of seeing patents as a purely defensive measure, a tool with which to stop the competition in their tracks.

Phelps says he is pleasantly surprised by just how understanding Microsoft's executives have been. "On these IP issues I don't have much of a problem getting anyone's attention at Microsoft. It starts at the top, and if you've got a guy like Bill Gates who's really concerned about IP and really likes it then you don't have much of a management problem."



Make no mistake about it, Microsoft has learned to do business by using its capital to get what it wants. Microsoft cannot buy out FOSS but they sure as hell can litigate FOSS directly or indirectly to "stop the competition in their tracks."

As most everyone here knows, FOSS has been on the Microsoft radar for several years now and they have been very active and very unsuccessful in halting the progress of FOSS.

This is the last ditch effort on Microsoft's part to stop what is becoming an unstoppable force. It will not matter if the FOSS community produces a better and more technologically advanced product because Microsoft will not be competing based on the merit of their products.

Whether or not the patents that are filed are frivilous and ridiculous, they will be used offensively to diminish the threat of FOSS to the Microsoft revenue stream.

Be prepared, there is more of the SCO syndrome to come.

burnin