Does Microsoft's settlement fever signal IP offensive?

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Don't fool yourselves...

All of these people predicting the demise of MS because of their recent settlements are mistaken.

MS has a plan. A very calculated plan. They are busy settling current and potential IP issues. They are also lobbying heavily in Europe for software patents. Once software patents are law in the EU the patent attack begins. Novell, Red Hat and the smaller players don't have the capital to head to head with MS. This leaves IBM. How much is IBM willing to spend to protect FOSS? With current cross-lisencing deals, does IBM have anything on MS? The fact that IBM is still dependent on MS' desktop monopoly for it's own consumer hardware offerings is also an important factor.

MS will attack FOSS/Linux/OpenOffice.org etc.. using a very calculated strategy which is in play now with these recent settlements.

It is imperative for the OSS community to research prior art as it relates to MS patents. Not to be used at the patent office but to be used for defensive purposes in court.

It's unfortunate that our "lawmakers" were so ignorant and/or corrupt to not see the follishness or destructive potential of sofware patents. The main goal of all non-MS players should be to eliminate software patent law. Some may object citing recent recent windfall victories against MS in court but they will eventually find themselves victims of that same system,

Posted by: Tim Patterson   Posted on: 11/09/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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