Is Microsoft About to Declare Patent War on Linux? | Hacker News Reader

Is Microsoft About to Declare Patent War on Linux?

computerworlduk.com

8 pointsdreemteem5 comments

From the same person writing on the same blog last year:

"Some observers question how a company can contribute to open source projects while, at the same time, insisting on respect of its intellectual property rights by its competitors. In fact, these two things are not inconsistent, and striking a balance between them is one of the key things every commercial technology company must do in order to compete effectively in a mixed source world."

[http://microsoftontheissues.com/cs/blogs/mscorp/archive/2009...]

Whilst I'm not convinced that Microsoft is entirely above using software patents against OSS projects, this guy doesn't seem particularly 'war-like'.

No.. They wont declare a patent war? Why would they?

Linux isn't having an enormous effect on their sales, and Microsoft aren't the sue-happy type anyway (despite claims by users), because they KNOW that lawsuits are frowned upon by users, and would cause an exodus.

I think its pretty obvious that the recent lawsuits by Apple aren't viewed favorably (and has probably encouraged users to avoid them). Furthermore, the same companies selling Android phones, are also selling Windows phones (whereas Apple are the only ones producing Apple phones). Why would Microsoft alienate its vendors?

There is nothing in this article which in the real world screams out that a lawsuit will happen. It's just a bunch of silly assumptions.

Well, I don't think it is based on PR (The vast majority of Apple's customers don't know or don't care about lawsuits). Microsoft has been doing a pretty good job of getting companies using Linux to license its IP without needing to go to a lawsuit. I have very little doubt that any company that doesn't enter into an agreement will end up in court. I wouldn't bet against Microsoft charging phone vendors a fee for using Android. Microsoft has already hosed vendors in other spaces (e.g. Plays for Sure).

Reading between the lines this is about attacking the growth of android. It isn't in Apple's or Microsoft's interest to have Google Android steal their market from under them. Android remember uses the Linux kernel, and potentially is not the only mobile O/S that will be Linux based. Linux has a good track record in the embedded space.

Or put another way, if Google is going to rule the mobile: they would both like a piece of the action.

Whether or not it is true is a different matter, but it's plausible.

Yes, but clearly Microsoft is well aware that doing so would put a huge dent in their image, which would cause them to lose sales (not gain profit).

Apple only sues everyone because they can get away with it. They have brainwashed enough of the population to believe that everything they do is innovation, so people think that its fair nuff that they sue everyone.

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