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Patents and the Penguin
In an article entitled Patents and the Penguin, the non-partisan Alexis de Tocqueville Institute observes, "[i]t is not uncommon today for patent fights to erupt even between parties that have engaged in rigorous diligence. By contrast, open source developers and distributors do not engage in patent searches, thus, there is a real possibility we will see a major patent fight involving open source, sooner than later. The article also ominously warns: "IBM will be competing with large Linux-based developers and distributors themselves. As the deployment of Linux increases, it can be expected that IBM will be going head-to-head with its "friends" in the Linux community. It is unquestionable that the biggest irony of all will be when Big Blue resorts to using its war chest of patents against a "friend" in the Linux community." Even Homer Simpson can see this coming.
"Even Homer Simpson can see this coming.
Homer Simpson CANNOT see this coming. However, given a half hour, he could accidentally trap the entire IBM legal department in some underground cave (or perhaps Moe's), find an old patent in his attic registered by his great grandfather* in 1901 for a "computing device", show up to court and take IBM to the cleaners for, oh let's just say $3 Billion, and then sign over the check to Mr. Burns in return for a week off and a couple of donuts.
*OK, we all know Lisa forged the 1901 patent, but as long as it works in court we're fine.
null sig
Yeah, my first reaction to seeing "non-partisan" in reference to a human was "yeah, like one exists"
/babies maybe...
Corrrrect Spelling was patented by Clippy in '98. Using akurate spellering wood give a dirrect link between the FUD and the FUDders.
www.olin.edu
Is it just me or does this look like just a hate story against the big blue? Okay, IBM is not the saint that is portaired by some hardcore fans of its recent linux 'friendliness' since it has showed clear signs of greediness in the past. I've heard of IBM 'solutions' being sold in the late 20th century to 'support' the 'employment' of colored people in africa but.. that's all in the past. And if the IBM is going to do such a bad thing to linux, fight its distributions we'd like to see the proof.
Where's the proof? Is this thread just a speculation?
Homer Simpson!? Is that guy still around?
This "non-partisan" bunch of wankers next project paper:
1. Why Longhorn promotes goodness in the world.
2. Why the Linux penguin is a symbol of a secret cult.
3. Hitler's Diaries, the hidden chapter on why open source is good for fascism.
4. Linus Torvalds spelled backwards means "Horrible Disease" in Swahili.
5. Why only a pinko commie who hates America and freedom would use Linux.
6. The Finnish conspiracy.
7. How the Olympics banned Linux.
8. How Al-Queda can strike all the companies in the world you run Linux.
9. How Darl mcBride will go down as a hero in the revised history books of the future.
10. Why apache causes AIDS in the third world.
These will be, of course, unbiased factual reports.
of the (Big) Blue side.
When you announce your latest addition to Linux, don't say "I had a great new idea!". Say "It certainly is obvious that this was needed."