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Microsoft Calls For Patent Law Change

Posted by Hemos on from the changing-understandings dept.

Elektroschock writes "According to an article of IDG/Infoworld Microsoft calls for a reform of the US patent system . Last month Microsoft Denmark started a backfiring PR campaign to influence the European debate in favour of software patents. Critics of Microsoft often claim that MS was behind the EU lobbying and wanted software patents to kill open source. While it is true that lobbying took place, persons deeply involved in the debate are more cautious to affirm real business interests of Microsoft. In a CeBIT debate today it was concluded that the MS monopoly would not exist with today's software patenting in place back in 1985. Some highly influential stakeholders with real business interests are often forgotten: patent professionals and the patent offices. What if there was no evil MS conspiracy behind all those patent plans? Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith is very concerned of submarine patents and patent trolls for Microsoft's business. He said patent reform should begin at home."

7 of 324 comments (clear)

  1. In other news, by Eradicator2k3 · · Score: 5, Funny

    there's a cold front approaching hell and lows are expected to reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit. When asked about this, the dark one said, "It's gotten to the point where 'A snowball's chance' is actually pretty good.

    --
    Mr. T pitied this fool on 27 July 1992.
  2. Patent Trolls? by SunPin · · Score: 3, Funny

    Please... 17 years of silence at Slashdot would do everyone some good.

    --
    Laws are for people with no friends.
  3. But... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Microsoft evil.... cannot.... understand.... Head exploding!

  4. The grammar about the sentence... by Torville · · Score: 4, Funny
    Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith is very concerned of submarine patents and patent trolls for Microsoft's business.

    Very concerned of? I'm skeptical for that's correct...

  5. Back on topic. by ehack · · Score: 3, Funny


    Microsoft wants a system that says "All patents are belong to us".
    Americans wants a system that says "All patents are belong to US"

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    This is not a signature.
  6. Re:We Need A Microsoft Section by QMO · · Score: 4, Funny

    "No other company gets such immature treatment from slashot other than Microsoft."

    SCO does.
    Both major US political parties do. (immature support and immature derision)
    Slashdot itself gets plenty of immature treatment from us.
    Just about anything mentioned on /. gets plenty of immature treatment.

    --
    Exam 4/C again. Maybe I'll do better this time.
  7. No Microsoft Conspiracy? Am Bizarro! by Nova+Express · · Score: 5, Funny
    What if there was no evil MS conspiracy behind all those patent plans?

    Oh my God, I've accidentally logged onto the Bizarro World Slashdot!

    Next there will be stories on why Apple's design sucks, why Open Source will fail, and how SCO is the greatest company in the world. And there will be no story dups!

    --
    Lawrence Person (lawrencepersonh@gmailh.com (remove all "h"s to mail)

    http://www.lawrenceperson.com/