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IO Data Licenses Microsoft's "Linux Patents"

Posted by kdawson on from the bigger-than-we-are dept.

eldavojohn writes "The Japanese computer manuracturer IO Data is the latest in line to license Microsoft's so-called 'Linux patents,' following the likes of Novell, Samsung, and Amazon. Yes, even the press releases use the word 'Linux' to describe these patents. From the press release: 'Specifically, the patent covenants apply to I-O Data's network-attached storage devices and its routers, which run Linux. Although the details of the agreement have not been disclosed, the parties indicated that Microsoft is being compensated by I-O Data.'"

7 of 197 comments (clear)

  1. Free money. by Spewns · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I wish I could run a scam as good as Microsoft's.

  2. Soprano style by Neil+Watson · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I might be holding a club behind my back. Should I choose to begin swinging this club, which I may or may not have, I can guarantee that I will not strike you with it, for a small fee.

    --
    UNIX/Linux Consulting
    1. Re:Soprano style by freedumb2000 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I think that is called "racketeering".

    2. Re:Soprano style by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      This is the year 2010. Now its called "licensing".

  3. Microsoft is... by alexborges · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A mean bunch of bastards for claiming patents and not disclosing any kind of infringement. But the ones that buy into the scam, man, those are PLAIN IDIOTS.

    --
    NO SIG
    1. Re:Microsoft is... by wizardforce · · Score: 4, Insightful

      But the ones that buy into the scam, man, those are PLAIN IDIOTS.

      They probably figured that it would cost more time and money fighting these patent claims by MS than it would licensing bogus patents. If that's true, then it is clear that our patent system ought to be done away with entirely.

      --
      Sigs are too short to say anything truly profound so read the above post instead.
  4. Why is the Linux community so quiet? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I don't understand why the Linux developers are so quiet about this. Microsoft is building up a huge amount of momentum around the idea that Linux violates some arbitrary patents, and not a single Linux developer or company appears willing to call them out on it. Bizarre.