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Shuttleworth says MS isn't the real threat to GNU/Linux
Mark writes on his own blog, "I'm pretty certain that, within a few years, Microsoft themselves will be strong advocates against software patents. Why? Because Microsoft is irrevocably committed to shipping new software every year, and software patents represent landmines in their roadmap which they are going to step on, like it or not, with increasing regularity."
Shuttleworth's optimism is boundless but, we'd expect more bumpy road ahead before any come to Jesus meeting with Microsoft makes everything all better. MS' current strategy seems to be more akin to Amazon -- building up a large patent arsenal with which to defend yourself -- than to that of a company ready to play nice and share.
Comments
3
Subscribe to commentssrenehanMay 23rd 2007 2:53PM
Software patents ARE NOT evil. The way they're implemented is.
Allowing someone to retain the rights for a short period of time once they develop a new technology is a great idea. it DRIVES innovation. It creates jobs. it allows for ONE person to make a life for themselves by thinking the right thing at the right time.
Allowing them to keep the rights indefinably and allowing them to patent commonsense solutions and concepts that have been in use for decades is bad.
I don't see Microsoft hating the former, the latter, their current application, is horrible, and even microsoft is starting to see that.
Good work on posting this non-story again. Microsoft had no intention to sue/threaten legal action over the patent infringement. They've said so since the beginning, they've never even hinted at anything else.... and this is what? your sixth post about this complete non-story.
ToddMay 23rd 2007 2:54PM
"...MS' current strategy seems to be building up a large patent arsenal with which to defend yourself."
Hey Microsoft, how about simply developing products people WANT to buy, willingly, without having to threaten, sue, extort or be forced to do so? Simply make a great product and you would never have to worry about Linux or patents ever again.
But hey I guess litigating is alot easier than innovating, huh?
Grant RobertsonMay 23rd 2007 2:57PM
Frankly, when industry leaders are talking about it and large fortune 500 Linux users are worried about it, I don't see how you can call it a non-story. Microsoft helped finance the SCO lawsuits, and they have a history of being uber-aggressive with competitive entities. Added to which their extensive history of being less than forthright with plans and public statements and you have a recipe for skepticism. I wouldn't be doing my job if I weren't vigilantly skeptical of exactly these sort of things. Thanks for your input, and thanks for reading Download Squad!