off:patent deals ?

[Derek Broughton]

Mike McMullin wrote:

> On Thu, 2007-06-14 at 15:33 -0300, Derek Broughton wrote:
>> Rick wrote:
>> 
>> > this is getting way out of hand,
>> > "Linspire has signed a patent deal with Microsoft"
>> > 
>> > Because, they are afraid of MS 234 patent claims in linux.
>> > MS has sign up 9 or 10 companies as of now, with this kind of tactic.
>> > 
>> > When is the Linux community going to stand up, and slap them down,
>> > where they belong, because, if "WE" (linux) don't MS will have
>> > a couple of dozen companies, under there patent don't sue us agreement,
>> > Then they will file a law suit aginst, the other distro's
>> 
>> It's not something you get a chance to stand up for until the lawsuit. 
>> SCO
>> tried it, and it's come to nothing.  If MS gets as far as lawsuits,
>> they'll have to sue some pretty big names, like IBM.
> 
>   More likely small to medium businesses who cannot afford a long term
> protracted litigation which MicroSoft could easily wage.  Having won the
> first suit, they would then have precedence

precedent.

> on their side, and other  would fall into line.  

That's precisely why IBM and others who have a big stake in Linux would have
to be involved - but there's nothing to be involved in until MS tries a
suit.
-- 
derek