Microsoft Threatened With Fines By EU Again

ukhackster writes "The EC is threatening Microsoft with yet more fines. This time, it's over the interoperability protocols that Microsoft has been ordered to open up to its rivals. The EC has examined 1,500 pages of information about the protocols, and concluded that they 'lack significant innovation'. This is pretty damning for both Microsoft and the patent system, as it has been awarded 36 patents covering this technology and has another 37 pending. Could this encourage someone like the EFF to start pushing to get these patents overturned? The EU has a FAQ about this issue, containing additional details on the subject.

Comments

Re:Patents haven't been about innovation for years

[bigtomrodney]

This shows a lot of promise for Open Source Developers. When I first read this I feared the protocols might be made available at prohibitive costs to Open Source and hobbiest developers.-

Microsoft has already documented Vista and Longhorn server-related protocols and priced them. But again the European Commission has managed to surprise me with their forward thinking :-

What is the situation as regards open source? The Commission has previously stated that it is committed to ensuring that the open source community has access to the non-innovative protocols if the Court of First Instance rules in its favour in case T-201/04 (the action brought by Microsoft against the 2004 Decision). Which we are told "lack significant innovation". I'm not sure whether I'm happy for the OSS developers or to laugh and rehash all of the jokes about Microsoft rehashing everyone else's ideas. Hopefully we do see some of those Patents overturned too.