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Linux Patent Infringement Lawsuit Filed Against Red Hat/Novell

walterbyrd writes "Just months after the last nail in SCO's case, and on the same day as Red Hat's brave words about patent intimidation, a company filed the first patent suit against the Linux operating system. IP Innovation LLC filed the claim against Red Hat and Novell over U.S. Patent No. 5,072,412. PJ points out there is prior art here: 'You might recall the patent was used in litigation against Apple in April 2007, and Beta News reported at the time that it's a 1991 Xerox PARC patent. But Ars Technica provided the detail that it references earlier patents going back to 1984.'"

8 of 473 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Extra! Extra! Read all about it by russ1337 · · Score: 4, Funny

    SCO II has arrived.
    *PFFFFT*: is the sound of me opening first can of beer while I sit back, feet up, chicken wings at the ready, to watch the action.

    This is a game of two halves and four quarters right? Hope they stop for some entertainment mid-trial.
  2. Re:Start of a patent war? by jimicus · · Score: 5, Funny

    M.A.D. is simply a fancy acronym for an idea which has been around for years, and it faces the same problems today as it always did.

    Edmund Blackadder summed it up beautifully:

    Edmund: You see, Baldrick, in order to prevent war in Europe, two superblocs
            developed: us, the French and the Russians on one side, and the
            Germans and Austro-Hungary on the other. The idea was to have two
            vast opposing armies, each acting as the other's deterrent. That way
            there could never be a war.

    Baldrick: But this is a sort of a war, isn't it, sir?

    Edmund: Yes, that's right. You see, there was a tiny flaw in the plan.

    George: What was that, sir?

    Edmund: It was bollocks.

  3. Re:Whether we like it or not.... by aichpvee · · Score: 3, Funny

    I like it!

    --
    The Farewell Tour II
  4. Re:"...filled against Linux" by hal9000(jr) · · Score: 3, Funny

    I guess we'll all have to go back to the command line then.

    But would it apply to screen? lol

  5. Re:"...filled against Linux" by maelstrom · · Score: 4, Funny

    Dude, did you really need to run that as root? You're making me nervous here.

    --
    The more you know, the less you understand.
  6. Re:"...filled against Linux" by trolltalk.com · · Score: 3, Funny

    "ALL companies have ex-Microsofties on the payroll, with some recent hires. Microsoft is the largest software company in the world. Go ahead, ask around. I'll bet you have a former Microsoft employee on your team! :)"

    None here. If there were, I'd be making their life miserable.

  7. Re:"...filled against Linux" by empaler · · Score: 5, Funny

    I would, too, if I were you. He did it on your box.

  8. Re:Its about time! by Seraphim_72 · · Score: 3, Funny

    seems to be the very model of a patent troll company
    I am the very model of a modern patent troll company,
    I've information that I will hold for law suits that are dear to me,
    I know the kings of software, and I sue them quite hysterical
    From IBM to Red Hat , in order oh most technical;
    I'm very well acquainted, too, with matters about the SCO law suit,
    I understand the law, both the simple and the theoretical,
    About collecting payment I'm teeming with a lot o' news,
    With many cheerful facts about the demise of software use.
    --
    Slashdot, where armchair scientists get shouted down and armchair theologians get modded up.