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Analyzing Microsoft's Linux Lawsuit

Posted by kdawson on from the does-this-suit-make-my-filesystem-look-fat dept.

jammag writes "Open source advocate Bruce Perens takes a close look at Microsoft's lawsuit against TomTom (discussed here last week), which involves an implementation of the Linux kernel, and calls it essentially a paper tiger. He notes: 'the technologies claimed in the 8 patents involved are so old and obvious that it's fair to say they have a high "Duh!" factor. There's an anti-trust angle to this suit that could blow up in Microsoft's face. And there's a high probability that some or all of the patents involved are invalid, due to recent court decisions.' Although the legal expense for TomTom to defend itself in court could be astronomical — meaning they may be forced to settle — in Perens' view Microsoft is aware its case is weak, yet hopes for a PR victory at limited cost." And reader nerdyH adds speculation from Open Innovation Network CEO Keith Bergelt that Redmond's action could be retaliation for TomTom's spurning a Microsoft acquisition bid in 2006.

12 of 297 comments (clear)

  1. question by nomadic · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why do we get so many legal analyses on slashdot from non-lawyers?

    1. Re:question by MarkvW · · Score: 2, Funny

      That's an easy question to answer. But before I'll answer, you've got to show me the money.

  2. I'll save us all some time: by moniker127 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Microsoft is evil.
    Linux is jesus.
    Richard Stallman, Linus Torvalds are my personal heros.
    Microsoft is evil.
    Microsoft likes to take control of the industry.
    This is the year of the linux desktop.

    1. Re:I'll save us all some time: by alienunknown · · Score: 2, Funny

      You forgot to mention steve ballmer and/or chair(s).

    2. Re:I'll save us all some time: by bursch-X · · Score: 2, Funny

      The year when Linux is taking over the desktop it will come preinstalled with Duke Nukem Forever.

      --
      There are two rules for success:
      1. Never tell everything you know.
  3. The answer is obvious. by lostmongoose · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...and calls it essentially a paper tiger

    It's really simple to fight then. They need a scissor lizard!

    1. Re:The answer is obvious. by Culture20 · · Score: 4, Funny

      ...and calls it essentially a paper tiger

      It's really simple to fight then. They need a scissor lizard!

      I counter-counter with rock lobster, but their scissor lizard is tapped, so they take direct damage.

    2. Re:The answer is obvious. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Can my Spock Magnet beat the Rock Lobster? Spock vaporizes Rock and Lobster sticks to Magnet.

  4. Re:/headdesk by gbarules2999 · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Screw the money, I have rules. Wait, what?"

  5. Re:Yes, but... by tpgp · · Score: 5, Funny

    all i heard was blah blah blah.

    I'd consider getting new text to speech software then.

    --
    My pics.
  6. Some of us are zombies, but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    everyone loves babies...especially live ones.

    Yeah, they're soooo much juicier, don't you know!

  7. Re:Yes, but... by witherstaff · · Score: 3, Funny

    OF course Microsoft is defending FAT32 - I mean it's one of the new supported features of Windows 7!