Intellectual property Toolkit
Story: Microsoft: Open source violates 235 patents
Let those without sin cast the first stone.
That wouldn't include Microsoft given their convictions.
But, past behaviour is a good indicator for future behaviour. In the case of Microsoft that would be spreading FUD. Like holding something in your hand, pointing it to someone and saying: give me the money or I'll shoot.
In real life that's considered to be criminal behaviour.
At Microsoft it's called marketing.
As for software patents in general. From early on warnings have been uttered that software patents would be used as weapons in an arms race. Like war lords use fear (FUD) and abuse of power to claim and hold their kingdom on earth.
There's nothing to gain with software patents. There's much more to loose.
Not that software patents will impact Open Source solutions. They're far too creative, fast moving and flexible to be held back by it. But not so the many little companies that have to deal with large multinationals with deep pockets which products they use and depend on to make their living.
But who cares for the little companies nowadays. They only provide a huge piece of job security and other political meaningless things nationwide. So the more sticks handed out to those that are political meaningful the better, right? At least, that would be the right conclusion to draw when considering political actions versus political words, right?
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