Here we go again with the patent FUD. But the FUD is part of something larger.
As a Linux admin I am personally harmed financially and by reputation because of the intentional slander, FUD, hype, astro turfing, perversion of the US legal system (lobbies), and confusion caused by MS. Proving this in a court of law would be a real bitch, but I know it to be absolutely true. I have lost jobs to MS monkeys, and taken heat from clients who really believe Gates is a genius and CANNOT be wrong because he's very very rich and famous. The 'fact free environment' is real, damaging, frustrating and perverse.
While the prevailing US cult of greed cannot be blamed entirely on MS, Gates, and Ballmer, the poisoning of public information sources certainly can. Slandering Linux specifically does harm to the OSS world and the Linux trademarked name. The public, worldwide, is being intentionally DEPRIVED of the ability to make an informed choice when the media is poisoned by the immoral and fraudulent acts of a greedy corporation.
The insidious damage of astro turfing and the erosive effects of bloated ad budgets on a supposedly free media are disturbing. When editors will not run an unbiased story, the public loses.
Perhaps a class action lawsuit could be brought against MS for corporate slander, defamation of (Linux) trademark, fraud, racketeering, bribery, monopolist activity and certainly for endangering the public by contributing to fraud. The contribution to fraud is by false security claims and gross incompetence. As for endangering, MS products are used in military and critical services agencies in the USA. (Disgustingly stupid, really.)
In short, it would be nice if we as individuals could do what the US FTC/Congress doesn't have the balls to do, require more civilized behaviour by certain greedy, ego maniacal cretins in the software business.
IANAL, but it seems MS has really deep pockets full of essentailly stolen cash. We take money from dope dealers, thieves, RICO busts, stock scams, mob guys, why not from MS?
At the very least I'd like to see an injunction against this sort of FUD, and simple legislation to regulate astro turfing, which is certainly damaging to public discourse. Astro turfers can say what they want, but like SEC rules for financial advisors, say who you work for. (And what stock you own.) Industry shill web sites should also have a prominent statement of mission and backing. Anything less is fraud.
Getting back to the point... This patent FUD is part of a malicious, slanderous tort and a free speech issue where public information is being poisoned by special interests. USPTO was established to foster innovation, not predatory litigation and overt racketeering.
It seems to me there may be broader, perhaps actionable legal issues here. Part of free speech is the ability to be heard above the noise, disinformation and damn lies. When the public loses the ability to make an informed choice, based on real facts, that is a denial of freedom of choice. Informed action relies on accurate information. When MS lies, we're damaged by the adverse effects of monopolism and fear mongering.
I know this went a bit off topic, but the whole MS patent FUD issue is buried neck deep in other evil deeds and broader social issues. I don't have the resources to do anything about this directly, but I hate to see the bad guys win, again. If we can't save the public, at least sue the bastards so they leave the basically good OSS people alone and let us make a freaking living.
Slashdot Mirror
Here we go again with the patent FUD.
But the FUD is part of something larger.
As a Linux admin I am personally harmed financially and by reputation because of the intentional slander, FUD, hype, astro turfing, perversion of the US legal system (lobbies), and confusion caused by MS. Proving this in a court of law would be a real bitch, but I know it to be absolutely true. I have lost jobs to MS monkeys, and taken heat from clients who really believe Gates is a genius and CANNOT be wrong because he's very very rich and famous. The 'fact free environment' is real, damaging, frustrating and perverse.
While the prevailing US cult of greed cannot be blamed entirely on MS, Gates, and Ballmer, the poisoning of public information sources certainly can. Slandering Linux specifically does harm to the OSS world and the Linux trademarked name. The public, worldwide, is being intentionally DEPRIVED of the ability to make an informed choice when the media is poisoned by the immoral and fraudulent acts of a greedy corporation.
The insidious damage of astro turfing and the erosive effects of bloated ad budgets on a supposedly free media are disturbing. When editors will not run an unbiased story, the public loses.
Perhaps a class action lawsuit could be brought against MS for corporate slander, defamation of (Linux) trademark, fraud, racketeering, bribery, monopolist activity and certainly for endangering the public by contributing to fraud. The contribution to fraud is by false security claims and gross incompetence. As for endangering, MS products are used in military and critical services agencies in the USA. (Disgustingly stupid, really.)
In short, it would be nice if we as individuals could do what the US FTC/Congress doesn't have the balls to do, require more civilized behaviour by certain greedy, ego maniacal cretins in the software business.
IANAL, but it seems MS has really deep pockets full of essentailly stolen cash. We take money from dope dealers, thieves, RICO busts, stock scams, mob guys, why not from MS?
At the very least I'd like to see an injunction against this sort of FUD, and simple legislation to regulate astro turfing, which is certainly damaging to public discourse. Astro turfers can say what they want, but like SEC rules for financial advisors, say who you work for. (And what stock you own.) Industry shill web sites should also have a prominent statement of mission and backing. Anything less is fraud.
Getting back to the point...
This patent FUD is part of a malicious, slanderous tort and a free speech issue where public information is being poisoned by special interests. USPTO was established to foster innovation, not predatory litigation and overt racketeering.
It seems to me there may be broader, perhaps actionable legal issues here. Part of free speech is the ability to be heard above the noise, disinformation and damn lies. When the public loses the ability to make an informed choice, based on real facts, that is a denial of freedom of choice. Informed action relies on accurate information. When MS lies, we're damaged by the adverse effects of monopolism and fear mongering.
I know this went a bit off topic, but the whole MS patent FUD issue is buried neck deep in other evil deeds and broader social issues. I don't have the resources to do anything about this directly, but I hate to see the bad guys win, again. If we can't save the public, at least sue the bastards so they leave the basically good OSS people alone and let us make a freaking living.
My 2p.