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Ballmer Threatens Linux Patent Lawsuits
gillbates writes "Today Microsoft warned several Asian countries that using Linux could subject them to lawsuits, claiming that Linux violates '228 patents'. Apparently, Steve Ballmer believes he can enforce U.S. law in Asia." Ballmer is presumably speaking about this story. So, companies which sell insurance against lawsuits and companies which make competing products both warn of the dangers of using Linux. Maybe someone should point out that Microsoft is battling dozens of patent-infringement lawsuits itself, and any user of Microsoft software (including governments) could also be sued?
The problem is: The U.S. seem to make decisions based on exactly those parodies of itself. So other countries can't even dare to laugh, they have to brace for impact.
The China - Japan - Korea analogy to France - England - Ireland works rather well (with the pairings given in order).
China ~= France : both are continental powers with traditions of strong central government, conservative status-based culture and elite-focussed education
Japan ~= England : both are island/archipelago powers with each being the first to industrialise in their own hemisphere. Different to China/France they show learned interest in distant regions of the globe.
Korea ~= Ireland : both colonised by Japan/England. Koreans are often called the 'Irish of Asia' based on their capacity to drink and their emotional natures.
Of course, as with any analogising these pairings fall down if you take them too far or even examine them too closely. But as a broad brush portrait I think it's a fun one to muse on.