While I agree that software patent is an huge oppressor of resellers and consumers I do not think this fee is directly targeted toward android devices (no doubt their motivation for imposing the fee.) In the beginning it says "...in the article vendors of Android handsets for using its patents in e-mail, multimedia and other functions..." if I'm not mistaken this is a reference to using M$ software on android device? Why not just ditch the software and just use an equivalent cheaper functioning software and avoid paying microsoft altogether? Thanks, Erik <div class="gmail_quote">On Oct 28, 2010 12:30 PM, "Michael Haney" <<a href="mailto:thezorch@gmail.com">thezorch@gmail.com</a>> wrote: > On Thu, Oct 28, 2010 at 8:03 AM, Christopher Chan > <<a href="mailto:christopher.chan@bradbury.edu.hk">christopher.chan@bradbury.edu.hk</a>> wrote: >> <a href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20101025PD218.html">http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20101025PD218.html</a> >> >> Is Dell still selling Ubuntu boxes or maybe they are already paying tax... >> > > Anyone who is suffering the delusion that Microsoft is not still > engaging in blatant anti-competitive practices needs to see this > article. > > This is exactly WHY Software Patents need to be invalidated. They > give companies unfair leverage to force out competition, not by making > a better product, but by blocking the competition before they even get > to market. Its unethical and should be very illegal. > > -- > Michael "TheZorch" Haney > "The greatest tragedy in mankind's entire history may be the hijacking > of morality by religion." ~ Arthur C. Clarke > "The suppression of uncomfortable ideas may be common in religion and > politics, but it is not the path to knowledge, and there is no place > for it in the endeavor of science. " ~ Carl Sagan > > Visit My Site: <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/thezorch/home-1">http://sites.google.com/site/thezorch/home-1</a> > To Contact Me: > <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/thezorch/home-1/zorch-central---contacts">http://sites.google.com/site/thezorch/home-1/zorch-central---contacts</a> > > Free Your PC from the Bondage of Windows <a href="http://www.ubuntu.com">http://www.ubuntu.com</a> > > -- > sounder mailing list > <a href="mailto:sounder@lists.ubuntu.com">sounder@lists.ubuntu.com</a> > Modify settings or unsubscribe at: <a href="https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/sounder">https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/sounder</a> </div>