Staking patent claims--for gold mines

TalkBack 36 of 43:

Next »

« Previous

• Thread View
• Flat View

Again, it's a trust issue.

Note that there were no complaints before Microsft started amassing software patents. Software patents were even cheered as a weapon to use against Microsoft.

It's simply an issue of trust. Many people, especially MS's competition, have learned not to trust their intentions. The fact that they've been investing in SCO (and thus indirectly financing the Linux/UNIX copyright battle) simply adds fuel to the fire. It doesn't even matter if MS plans on enforcing those patents (and thus far I don't recall any major patent lawsuits being originated from Redmond), since we aren't talking about direct reactions to their filing of patents, they are simply reacting a general mistrust. I'm not saying it's right or wrong or justified or unfair, but if you've been treated unfairly in the past by a company, wouldn't you have misgivings if they engaged in activity that could be construed as controversial?

As an aside, the GIF (LZH) patents were an issue long before MS became a factor in the patents fight. Wasn't that Unisys (I forget and am too lazy to do a search)? Software patents have been considered controversial long before MS entered the game.

As another aside, I certainly can understand why MS would enter the patent game simply to protect themselves and not engage in predatory behavior (i.e. come up with a simple idea, patent it, and sue everybody). In fact I personally believe that is the only reason why they did jump in. But consider this: IBM has been patenting software longer than MS, but as you say it's only since MS has jumped in that it has blown up into such a hotbed controversy (although like I said before, it's not like the controversy was non-existant before). Doesn't that tell you something?

Posted by: Michael Kelly   Posted on: 07/21/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

Alert moderator to an offensive message

Subscribe to this discussion via Email or RSS

SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

• Why Isn't Server Virtualization Saving Us More? A Few Small Changes May Dramatically Increase Your Efficiency VMware Companies have rapidly adopted server virtualization over the past few ... Download Now
• The Impact of Virtualization Software on Operating Environments VMware Today's use of virtualization technology allows IT professionals to ... Download Now
• Key Strategies for Federal Agencies - Safe and Cost Effective Migration for Legacy Hardware GovConnection The federal government has mandated that federal agencies reduce energy ... Download Now