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SQL Server Developers Face Huge Royalties
superpat writes "The Register reports that Microsoft licensed SQL Server technology from Timeline. Trouble is, they didn't license the tech for use by MS customers... After 3 1/2 years in the courts, the final judgement rules that MS SQL Server customers must pay Timeline patent royalties. The argument that Microsoft said it was OK is no defence, apparently." News.com.com.com has another story.
Time for Microsoft to step up to the plate. Why would you think that you had to read a EULA if they can get away with this kind of $hit?
Judging by the number of lawyers working for them, they might as well be.
Money for nothing, pix for free
Now I have yet ANOTHER good reason to push MySQL over MSSQL Server.
Time to start forgetting all the VB I had to learn.
ad logicam Claiming a proposition is false because it was presented as the conclusion of a fallacious argument.
SELECT max(money)
FROM ms.customers
WHERE ms.cant_read_EULAs
AND ms.really_wants_to_lose_market
HAVING Slammer;
What else do you call a company that has more lawyers than engineers? ... Rambus
Oh yeah
If you really believe that argument, then I've got some DVD players and TVs to sell you.
... something about "back of a truck" ... what? Not at all!
No, honest, I promise I can sell them to you. What's that you say
*cough*
Tuus crepidae innexilis sunt.
The vast amount of people who use pirated versions MS SQL must be having a good laugh. This is like a company charging me for extra miles on rental car that I stole.
2) Develop something useful
3) Sell it to MS with a restrictive license
4) Threaten MS customers
5) Watch MS buying your small company
6) Profit!
For MS employees watching Slashdot: is there anyone at MS interested in including in the next Windows version my penis enlargement technology, so that I can finally stop spamming people? Naturally your customers cannot use this technology to develop anything else than their penis size without infringing my license. You can call the next revision of your OS 'Windows XL'.
Signatures are for stupids.
And I thought Slammer was going to be the way MS's SQL swerver was going to cost this company the most money this month....
Let's see if that still holds after this, eh?
No, your children are not the special ones. Nor are your pets.
Anyone else notice that the document on the Timeline website that is linked to is titled "Elegent Memo". Kinda funny, they wrote it in Word XP (aka Word XP) using one of the built-in letter templates and exported to HTML. Didn't bother to change the title of the document. Just makes them look a little silly if you ask me.
so, how do the cost of ownership comparisons look now? ;-)
Hey, you develop for Microsoft software, you get what you deserve. :-)
"Wait guys, the lawyer's not hear yet"
A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess? - Joshua (Wargames)
Dear Microsoft SQL Server Customer:
On February 20 2003, Microsoft entered into a settlement agreement with Timeline Inc. regarding certain intellectual properties of Timeline and licensing matters associated with Microsoft's use of Timeline technology in its SQL Server system.
Pursuant to the collective agreement between Microsoft and Timeline, Microsoft recognizes that while it had purchased a right to use the Timeline technologies in its SQL Server system, end-users of the respective technology were not licensed to do so, and would be liable for the purchase of such licensed use directly with Timeline Inc.
In order to provide our customers with a cost-effective alternative to licensing of Timeline Inc technology, Microsoft is pleased to announce that it is making its powerful, internally developed database technology available for immediate download. This product, Microsoft DataBOB, includes:
- a powerful database capable of listing your favorite contacts
- a GUI administration console that can be learned in minutes by your developers and follows a unique interface concept
- helpful wizards and assistants that make use of DataBOB possible by even clerical employees
We're confident you'll find DataBOB not only very useful, but will recognize its value in reducing your information technology costs as even the most novice computer users will find DataBOB simple and straight forward in application.
In order to obtain your license, see an authorized DataBob distributor today.
Can I pay less if I don't want the gaping security holes?
Coding team of the future:
:)
13 lawyers (8 of 'em specialists in patent and copyright law)
27 managers
63 marketing analysts
9 outsourcing contracts, paid in advance
1 programmer (optional)
(No, I *didn't* forget the testing and QA guys
~REZ~ #43301. Who'd fake being me anyway?