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Torvalds Joins Anti-Patent Attack

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the patents-schmatents dept.

canuck57 sent us a story about Linus Torvalds has joined the chorus of voices speaking out against software patents. Talks briefly about the recent patent releases by IBM & Sun, and notes that there are 'an estimated 150,000 to 300,000 registered software patents in the U.S. alone.'

12 of 357 comments (clear)

  1. infringing my patent by wawannem · · Score: 5, Funny

    Unfortunately, Linus was immediately sacked for infringing on my patent: Patent 1,234,567: Speaking against software patents in a public forum.

    1. Re:infringing my patent by Rufus88 · · Score: 3, Funny

      And you're infringing on my patent: "Method of obtaining first 'Score:5' post in a discussion on patents by making a meta-patent joke".

      See you in court.

  2. It will only get worse before getting better by ravenspear · · Score: 2, Funny

    Considering the nature of Microsoft's ongoing assault on Linux, I'm surprised they haven't tried to patent Linus yet.

  3. Ugh... by th1ckasabr1ck · · Score: 4, Funny
    "patent WMDs"

    PLEASE let that term just disappear and never be used again...

  4. patents vs spam by AtariAmarok · · Score: 4, Funny
    300,000 in the U.S.? At this ever increasing rate, software patent propagation will likely exceed spams being sent in a decade or two.

    The two will likely merge, with today's spam list sellers producing software that is guaranteed to generate 100,000 software patents a day.

    And don't dare to delete that spam. You will see a message in it that says "The methodology of pressing a delete screen button or similar control on a web form in order to ignore email advertising is covered under US Patent 4,005,544,202,499,003-A. If you attempt this, you will be charged with a patent violation."

    --
    Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
    1. Re:patents vs spam by winkydink · · Score: 4, Funny
      300,000 in the U.S.? At this ever increasing rate, software patent propagation will likely exceed spams being sent in a decade or two.

      If I said it once, I've said it a millions times, don't exaggerate.

      --

      "I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey

    2. Re:patents vs spam by glass_window · · Score: 2, Funny

      But only because they will start patenting their method of getting past spam filters!

  5. Anti-Visionary by Omniscientist · · Score: 3, Funny
    Torvalds: "I'm the anti-visionary. I distrust people with visions,"

    Hmm.....now I know why my kernel patch submission to him was rejected!

    1. Re:Anti-Visionary by PornMaster · · Score: 3, Funny

      Hmm.....now I know why my kernel patch submission to him was rejected!

      Why's that? He doesn't reject them from people who hear voices.

      --
      500GB of disk, 5TB of transfer, $5.95/mo
  6. It's unamerican by FreeUser · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yeah, it's almost like the slashdot editors are allowed to voice their own views and not follow a company line set out by the people who own the site. Imagine that, editorial freedom in a news site! What a novel idea!

    It's downright unamerican!

    --
    The Future of Human Evolution: Autonomy
  7. Cool... by Anita+Coney · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Anti Patent Attack" were one of my favorite DC straight-edge bands from the 80s. I saw them warm up for Fugazi and they ROCKED! Does anyone know what instrument Torvalds even plays?!

    --
    If someone says he and his monkey have nothing to hide, they almost certainly do.
  8. Re:Beat you by Decaff · · Score: 4, Funny

    [Sorry buddy, but I already have a patent on the process of threatening someone with lawyers in order to get money from something.]

    And I'm sure you are aware that you are infringing my patent on threats in italics.