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Red Hat Patenting Around Open Standards

Posted by Soulskill on from the tread-lightly dept.

I Believe in Unicorns writes "Red Hat's patent policy says 'In an attempt to protect and promote the open source community, Red Hat has elected to... develop a corresponding portfolio of software patents for defensive purposes. We do so reluctantly...' Meanwhile, USPTO Application #: 20090063418, 'Method and an apparatus to deliver messages between applications,' claims a patent on routing messages using an XQuery match, which is an extension of the 'unencumbered' AMQP protocol that Red Hat is helping to make. Is this a defensive patent, or is Red Hat cynically staking out a software patent claim to an obvious extension of AMQP? Is Red Hat's promise to 'refrain from enforcing the infringed patent' against open source a reliable contract, or a trap for the unwary? Given the Microsoft-Red Hat deal in February, are we seeing Red Hat's 'Novell Moment?'" Reader Defeat_Globalism contributes a related story about an international research team who conducted experiments to "quantify the ways patent systems and market forces might influence someone to invent and solve intellectual problems." Their conclusion was that a system which doesn't restrict prizes to the winner provides more motivation for innovation.

4 of 147 comments (clear)

  1. Public Service Announcment by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    All hail Islam, the religion of peace. Refusal to do so will result in death.

  2. Apple Mac teh Gay Boiz by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Friday is my busy day. After I get off work as a substitute gym teacher, I have to race across town to the NAMBLA meeting. Then it's a quick pit stop at McDonald's for a bite and to check out who is having a Happy Meal in Playland.

    Afterward I must zip uptown to the Apple Users' Group meeting. Finally by 11:00 pm it's time to head home with my PowerBook and scope out the K12 chat rooms.

    As I said, it's my busy day. If it weren't for my Apple computer, I don't know how I could do it all.

    1. Re:Apple Mac teh Gay Boiz by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      I'm sure you would find a way. After all yer daddy din't need a Mac.

  3. linux fags with their heads up their ass by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    this is the cost of modern business boys. if you don't like it you can just get the fuck you, you smelly bitches.

    linux is going to undergo a big change if it's to survive. those who keep bitching up a storm about business are going to be left eating dog food under a highway overpass.