So What If Linux Infringes On Microsoft IP?

Mr Men writes to mention a ZDNet blog entry by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes wondering aloud if maybe, just maybe, Microsoft isn't lying about having patents that are part of Linux. "Come on, no matter how much of a Linux fan you are, you have to admit that there's at least a chance that Linux does indeed infringe on Microsoft's patents. After all, Microsoft does hold a lot of patents and while Linux is open source and we can all take a look at the source code, only Microsoft has access to most of its source code so it isn't all that difficult for it to prove — to itself at any rate — that there are IP infringements contained in Linux. After all, before IBM handed over some 500 patents to the open source community, it's pretty clear that Linux was infringing some of them. Given that, why is it so hard to believe that the same isn't going on with Microsoft?" Even then, he goes on to say, so what if they do? It's not like they're going to go after us with a 'Linux tax.' Kingsley-Hughes imagines that, for the most part, Microsoft is just going to sit on this info and use it to form more and more profitable deals. Better than the alternative, I guess.

Comments

Balmer's suicide note: a 10 point guide

[nagora]

1. American directors have a legal responsibility to defend shareholders' interests.
   
2. Ballmer says that Linux is infringing and therefore damaging shareholders' interests.
   
3. Linux/OS programmers have access to their code only.
   
4. Linux/OS programmers have said they will remove infringing code.
   
5. Ballmer can see both the Linux/OS programmers' code and Microsoft's.
   
6. Ballmer is therefore the only party able to give the infringers what they need to know to stop damaging shareholders' interests.
   
7. Ballmer will not/has not said which code is infringing.
   
8. Ballmer is the party damaging (note: imperfect tense) Microsoft shareholders' interests.
   
9. Ballmer is therefore, by his own admission, in breach of American corporate law.
   
10. Someone call the police.
    

Shooting themselves in the foot

[PopeRatzo]

I think you may be underestimating the public relations nightmare Microsoft would endure if they were to kill Linux as a viable enterprise platform or even (god forbid) seriously damage OSS. Not to mention that the Feds may just revisit Antitrust cases against the evil empire.

I get the feeling that the world may just be ripe for a new commercial desktop platform that will run on PCs and be an actual serious competitor to Windows without requiring special hardware to run (ala OSX). I mean, how long has it been since OS/2 went down? I think it's about time. If I could go to Comp-u-City and buy a different commercial (I stress commercial, not open source but new from the ground up) operating system off the shelf for $150, I'd do it today instead of golfing.

Can we please

[Timesprout]

Stop posting mature consideration of the whole MS Patent issue and get back to hysterical screaming about how MS plans to kill Linux with patents.

Re:I live in EU

[Darundal]

Yeah, because nobody using Linux in the US watches DVD's without the proper licenses...

Re:I live in EU

[Who235]

Yeah, good point.

Especially if that one country has a population roughly half the size of your entire continent.

Screw 'em, we don't need their business or support.