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Microsoft Says Free Software Violates 235 Patents

Posted by Zonk on from the rut-roh-raggy dept.

prostoalex writes "Microsoft told Fortune magazine that various free software products violate at least 235 patents, and it's time to expect users of this software to pay up patent licensing royalties: 'Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith and licensing chief Horacio Gutierrez sat down with Fortune recently to map out their strategy for getting FOSS users to pay royalties. Revealing the precise figure for the first time, they state that FOSS infringes on no fewer than 235 Microsoft patents.'"

2 of 1,217 comments (clear)

  1. Can you really exercise a patent rights like this? by mr_stinky_britches · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Is it really possible to exercise ones patent rights on a free product? Is this a joke?

    Very strange...I thought April Fools day was last month.

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  2. If they're slam-dunks... by Svartalf · · Score: 1, Redundant

    ...why in the hell have they been prattling on and on about the infringements and NOT telling us with specificity what's infringing?

    For that matter, what specific patents are these applications you're alluding to being infringed in what applications?

    You HAVE TO do that, or if you don't pony up an infringement, you're guilty of trade libel.

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