[mdlug] Microsoft: Linux violates 235 MS patents

[David Relson]

On Sun, 13 May 2007 19:37:13 -0400 (EDT)
Michael Corral wrote:

> For those out there still naive enough to believe that the
> Microsoft/Novell/Suse deal is nothing to worry about:
> http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/05/28/100033867/index.htm
> 
> Michael

Maybe.

Maybe not.

Remember SCO has claimed that Linux copied UNIX code that SCO owns.
That fight seems to be winding down with the initial claims being
thrown out.

Microsoft has claimed before now that Linux violates their patents, but
hasn't given any specifics.  According to the article, patents are
violated by the kernel, X Windows, the GUI, OpenOffice, etc.  As we
know, these are commonly included in linux distributions, but they're
not all "linux".  There's a lot of "prior art" in the software world
-- certainly enough to question the validity of many software
patents.  If/when Microsoft _does_ decide to assert their patent
rights, the "prior art" issue will rear its head.

Time will tell whether Microsoft's patent infringement claim is more or
less valid than SCO's copying claims.

... my $.02 ...

David