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May 13th, 2007

Microsoft: Free and open source software violates 235 Microsoft patents

Posted by Mary Jo Foley @ 4:46 pm

Categories: Corporate strategy, Legal, Linux, Novell

Tags: Patent, Open Source, Open-source Software, Microsoft Corp., F/OSS, Mary Jo Foley

In Focus » See more posts on: Software Patents, Microsoft Novell

Microsoft finally has thrown down the gauntlet and is claiming publicly that free and open-source software (FOSS) violates 235 Microsoft patents.

That tally comes from a newly published article in Fortune. In that article, Microsoft licensing chief Horacio Gutierrez wouldn't talk specifics. He declined to specify which Microsoft patents are being violated or how "lest FOSS advocates start filing challenges to them," according to the Fortune article.

Nonetheless, Gutierrez claimed that Linux is violating 42 Microsoft patents. Linux GUIs (graphical user interfaces) violate 65, Open Office violates 45, various free/open e-mail programs violate another 15, and assorted, sundry free/open-source software programs violate 68 Microsoft patents, Gutierrez said.

That total is quite different from the last alleged count of the number of violations by Linux/open-source patents on Microsoft and other closed-source products. In 2004, Dan Ravicher, founder and executive director of the Public Patent Foundation, conducted an analysis for Open Source Risk Management, an insurance company selling legal protection against Linux copyright- and patent-infringement claims. Updated: Ravicher found that 283 patents, 27 of which were owned by Microsoft, could be a basis for Linux infringement lawsuits. (Whether the infringements and/or patents would be ruled invalid in court was undetermined, he noted.)

However, the new number and claims are still noteworthy. (And they lead to me wonder which open-source vendor may be first to go public with claims that Microsoft's products are violating their patents and copyrights/copylefts… if such a notion is even fathomable.)

I can't help but wonder why Microsoft decided to go public with these claims and figures now. If the Novell-Microsoft technology partnership was really as solid as Microsoft keeps claiming, why does Microsoft need to raise questions about open-source software's legality? Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has been telling anyone who'd listen for several months now that Microsoft did the deal with Novell in order to provide customers worried about potential patent infringements by open-source software on Microsoft's products a way to assure that they wouldn't be sued by Microsoft.

So what gives? A number of us have been calling for several months for Microsoft to itemize which open-source patents the company believes Linux and other open-source software to infring upon. My guess? Microsoft must be putting pressure on other open-source software vendors to follow Novell's lead and sign covenants not to sue that Ballmer can point to when he wants to scare customers away from open source.

What's your take? What is behind Microsoft's latest decision to tout alleged open-source patent violations?

Mary Jo FoleyMary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 20 years. Don't miss a single post. Subscribe via Email or RSS. You can also follow Mary Jo on Twitter.

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  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 243 Talkback(s)
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Posted by: alaniane@... Posted on: 05/19/09  (Edited: 05/19/09 @ 03:24) You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
Seems pretty obvious  retrosteve | 05/13/07
No More Substance  ogmanx@... | 05/13/07
every company has the right to enforce its patents  zzz1234567890 | 05/14/07
Same Old...  ogmanx@... | 05/14/07
Same Old....  Ron406 | 05/14/07
Same Old  rbraun62@... | 05/14/07
NOT the same old.  xuniL_z | 05/15/07
6 of one, half-dozen of the other  AlecWest2 | 05/16/07
And, MS has the right to firetruck themselves in the arse too.  DonnieBoy | 05/14/07
agreed in part  srobtjones@... | 05/14/07
It's mutually assured destruction  alaniane@... | 05/19/09
"The Linux Graphical user interfaces"?  Resuna | 05/14/07
Bseides - X is for Xerox  deefburger | 05/14/07
HeHe!  zeusx64@... | 05/14/07
Number calling?  NemesisNL | 05/14/07
Active protection  Update victim | 05/14/07
GUIs???  macoafi | 05/14/07
Test for obviousness  reugen | 05/14/07
"Much" doesn't matter  Psyclone | 05/14/07
Verry interesting...  Freebird54 | 05/14/07
So Microsoft says . . .  sporkfighter | 05/19/09
Continue the FUD-slinging  Feldon | 05/13/07
Continue the FUD-slinging ----- that would be you  code_Warrior | 05/14/07
wrong...  ogmanx@... | 05/14/07
If they aren't going to court where a judge may rule on disclosure  Boot_Agnostic | 05/14/07
Nonsense  NemesisNL | 05/14/07
Have you looked up lately?  sbeckstead@... | 05/14/07
probably  NemesisNL | 05/14/07
Or...  Mercutio_Viz | 05/14/07
Can YOU prove that MS didn't just use OSS ideas ?  magcomment | 05/14/07
But they do have to show them to someone!  Mercutio_Viz | 05/14/07
Hardly  Freebird54 | 05/14/07
Hardly, did you read the same thing I did?  xuniL_z | 05/15/07
Neither was Microsoft. (NT)  Intellihence | 02/25/09
Open Source Community?  sporkfighter | 05/19/09
I agree, it's a replay of $CO tactics!  Linux Geek | 05/15/07
Put up or shut up  kmatzen@... | 05/13/07
Open source may not "be able to remove the violations".  Anton Philidor | 05/13/07
No, patents often patent one specific way of doing  DonnieBoy | 05/13/07
It's possible to "invent around" a patent...  Anton Philidor | 05/13/07
Sometimes, you literally only have to change the code a little bit to get  DonnieBoy | 05/13/07
Then where is MS guilty?  Mercutio_Viz | 05/14/07
RE: No, patents often patent one specific way of doing  joe6pack_z | 05/14/07
You're right  tombalablomba | 05/13/07
No, many will be simple changes to get around the patent.  DonnieBoy | 05/14/07
RE: No, many will be simple changes to get around the patent.  joe6pack_z | 05/14/07
hard to say...  ogmanx@... | 05/14/07
Maybe yes, maybe no.  richard233 | 05/14/07
Cookies  startx.jeff | 05/14/07
LOL  Bucky24 | 05/14/07
Don't be surprised  Marty R. Milette | 05/14/07
Or even . . .  sporkfighter | 05/19/09
You can't copyright a recipe...  Anton Philidor | 05/14/07
Recipes  sbeckstead@... | 05/14/07
Actually no  sbeckstead@... | 05/14/07
Wrong. Patents cover  bjbrock | 05/14/07
"lest FOSS advocates start filing challenges to them"  Tony Agudo | 05/13/07
Yes, a fat bald guy with a short diiiiik, a plastic sword, and a squirt gun  DonnieBoy | 05/13/07
thats a description of yourself  code_Warrior | 05/14/07
nah...  ogmanx@... | 05/14/07
I am tall and handsome, use OpenSource, and do not make idle threats.  DonnieBoy | 05/14/07
and Last but certainly not least  xuniL_z | 05/15/07
Here we go...  Tim Patterson | 05/13/07
Nothing has changed.  Anton Philidor | 05/13/07
We don't want numbers, how about just ONE patent violation to start with.  DonnieBoy | 05/13/07
Agreed! (n/t)  Mercutio_Viz | 05/14/07
Well Donny  xuniL_z | 05/15/07
Tim, the US based  Linux User 147560 | 05/13/07
And, that is another thing you brought up. Overseas, they would take a very  DonnieBoy | 05/13/07
Can anyone be so naive as to believe...  Marty R. Milette | 05/14/07
We are sure they have a plan. It is just funny the predicament they are in.  DonnieBoy | 05/14/07
As he who will not see  Yagotta B. Kidding | 05/14/07
Too bad  Tim Patterson | 05/14/07
Microsoft's Gameplan  john@... | 05/13/07
They don't need to do this to get  alaniane@... | 05/19/09
27 against 42 patents violated.  Anton Philidor | 05/13/07
SHOWUSTHECODE.COM  zaine_ridling | 05/13/07
yeah right  zzz1234567890 | 05/14/07
well...  ogmanx@... | 05/14/07
Microsoft can show the code to anybody they want. How about the people they  DonnieBoy | 05/14/07
Excellent website!  ClearCreek | 05/14/07
The sounds of a body thrashing before it dies....  steveneddy | 05/13/07
Come on MS!!! Rattle those sabers more convincingly!!!  DonnieBoy | 05/13/07
DonnieBoy  justanitguy | 05/14/07
Me, I ain't a tryin'to scare nobody. It is the bald guy that you describe.  DonnieBoy | 05/14/07
The OS wars are almost over.  bugmenot@... | 05/13/07
The thing so frustrating for MS here is that they could file a lot of  DonnieBoy | 05/13/07
what are you complaining about  code_Warrior | 05/14/07
Microsoft would have filed suits long ago if they were sitting on patents  DonnieBoy | 05/14/07
Can't code around? How do we know?  Mercutio_Viz | 05/14/07
Continued  Mercutio_Viz | 05/14/07
The current war in the last stages  TripleII | 05/13/07
obviously you are only dreaming  code_Warrior | 05/14/07
Wow....  ogmanx@... | 05/14/07
I agree with part of it anyway.  xuniL_z | 05/15/07
i dont see Linux taking over home PCs yet  tomal_rocks | 05/14/07
actually..  ITSa341@... | 05/14/07
You won't either, until Microsoft's illegal  Update victim | 05/14/07
Umm...  todbran@... | 11/18/08
Microsoft makes more money  alaniane@... | 05/19/09
Is Dell To Blame  Psyclone | 05/14/07
Opps  Psyclone | 05/14/07
Dell has announced Linux before.  Update victim | 05/14/07
what are you waiting for?  AlecWest2 | 05/16/07
the straw man again?!  ruped24 | 05/13/07
Shill  justanitguy | 05/14/07
!! Microsoft is anti-capitalist !!  evilmind | 05/13/07
must have missed an amemedment to the bill of right  olivier@... | 05/14/07
#3 is wrong. A monopoly is not a free market.  CobraA1 | 05/14/07
Monopolies aren't illegal...  KWierso | 05/14/07
Monopolies are illegal in USA  tomal_rocks | 05/14/07
Nope  Yagotta B. Kidding | 05/14/07
You better inform your local utility company  alaniane@... | 05/19/09
Kidnapped!!!  justanitguy | 05/14/07
What was it that Julius Ceasar said?  Ole Man | 05/14/07
Grow up  tomal_rocks | 05/14/07
I surely hope you weren't  xuniL_z | 05/15/07
90%+ share and 100% of all virus, *ware, numbers don't lie  ruped24 | 05/14/07
its because MS softwares are that damn popular  tomal_rocks | 05/14/07
Popular means chosen;  Update victim | 05/14/07
What logic?? Linux has more virii than MS  xuniL_z | 05/15/07
Linux is not superior  tomal_rocks | 05/14/07
Superiority Has Nothing To Do With It  pj_mouse | 05/14/07
Clearly you haven't a clue.  xuniL_z | 05/15/07
ummm...who said anything about guns?  mdsmedia | 05/15/07
If MS is anti-capitalist, why isnt US government doing anything ??  tomal_rocks | 05/14/07
They did  Update victim | 05/14/07
FUD  D. T. Schmitz | 05/13/07
no body is above the law  code_Warrior | 05/14/07
what?!  ogmanx@... | 05/14/07
Nobody is above the law , including Microsoft!  I'm Ye, the MS SHILL . | 05/14/07
Nobody is below the law  Ole Man | 05/14/07
Where does MS keep their source code on the Net?  D. T. Schmitz | 05/14/07
Bingo!  deefburger | 05/14/07
Dangerous Strategy  TripleII | 05/13/07
You are correct...  ogmanx@... | 05/14/07
history  ruped24 | 05/13/07
Google news/blog search  TripleII | 05/13/07
Nope  D. T. Schmitz | 05/14/07
It's becomming obvious  Tim Patterson | 05/14/07
Patent Law: The Obviousness Doctrine  D. T. Schmitz | 05/14/07
Agree in-part  Tim Patterson | 05/14/07
Infringer vs. Infringed  Yagotta B. Kidding | 05/14/07
Exactly Right! (n/t)  Mercutio_Viz | 05/14/07
Your view is too narrow.  xuniL_z | 05/15/07
Summary of MS using the spin cycle ...  MisterMiester | 05/14/07
what a joke  zzz1234567890 | 05/14/07
So, what doesn't MS just file the patents then? She is right on with all  DonnieBoy | 05/14/07
Did you forget  alaniane@... | 05/19/09
Yes, she lays it all out very well!! Come on Stevie, Come on Billy, BRING  DonnieBoy | 05/14/07
Microsoft better tred with extreme trepidation...  Linux User 147560 | 05/14/07
Don't count on it  Tim Patterson | 05/14/07
I am counting on history repeating itself...  Linux User 147560 | 05/14/07
I don't think they would sit it out  TripleII | 05/14/07
go or get off the potty  srobtjones@... | 05/14/07
Is there an artist out there? We need a cartoon picture of a short, fat,  DonnieBoy | 05/14/07
SCO V IBM failed  BarbieLee | 05/14/07
HuH?  garfent@... | 05/14/07
Look a likes  dan@... | 05/14/07
" ........ wouldn't talk specifics"  Reverend MacFellow | 05/14/07
Agreed and thanks for saving me the typing, heh (NT)  tek_heretik | 05/14/07
If MicroSoft can win then they are a MONOPOLY!  dhj1974@... | 05/14/07
Uh, Dude?  Yagotta B. Kidding | 05/14/07
Move off of Microsoft and save money Now!!  curtis@... | 05/14/07
Last Refuge of a Behemoth  rvjcallanan | 05/14/07
What about the copyleft?  aceofspades1217@... | 05/14/07
Any Specifics?  joe6pack_z | 05/14/07
*cough* SCO *cough*  Resuna | 05/14/07
Here Here!  sbeckstead@... | 05/14/07
Fluff to Draw Attention Away From Yahoo  rtb | 05/14/07
Microsoft = Bully  Narg | 05/14/07
so if MS buys Chrysler, they will sue other car builders  rcpr@... | 05/14/07
Why is MS a bully?  Narg | 05/14/07
Use or lose...  rkhalloran | 05/14/07
Blatent misuse of patents  CobraA1 | 05/14/07
OBVIOUSNESS is MS' enemy...  rkhalloran | 05/14/07
Even Worse, DC Circuit invalidated most of M$ Patent Portfolio  thetruth_z | 11/18/08
Throwing stones in a glass house  hines1957@... | 05/14/07
I am the Linux Kernel/Colonel !  I'm Ye, the MS SHILL . | 05/14/07
You couldn't even be  xuniL_z | 05/15/07
WOW, What a non suprize.  zeusx64@... | 05/14/07
Why are patents "granted"?  THEE WOLF | 05/14/07
It is not patents  Freebird54 | 05/14/07
M$ seeing the future?  wolf354@... | 05/14/07
who cares?  bluefox83 | 05/14/07
Who are they going to sue? YOU!  justanitguy | 05/14/07
Why You Should Care  pj_mouse | 05/14/07
Is it true?  Boot_Agnostic | 05/14/07
More BS from MS.  Rocker452 | 05/14/07
Hey you can't do that!  D. T. Schmitz | 05/14/07
Patent Tactics  dragonjohn77070@... | 05/14/07
Microshaft sells overpriced software...  3dtodd | 05/14/07
Microshaft sells overpriced software... ???  Ron406 | 05/14/07
"pound on Ms because they are successful.."  Ole Man | 05/14/07
What Works  pj_mouse | 05/14/07
Mob bosses  neiltaggart | 05/14/07
The leopard has not changed its spots  GeorgesV | 05/14/07
Message has been deleted.  Intellihence | 05/14/07
Let the Patent Civil Wars Begin...  jaszman | 05/14/07
The pot calling the kettle black...  dwain.erhart@... | 05/14/07
In the days of Old  jimparkhurst00@... | 05/14/07
I like it in Europe ...  werner2k_z | 05/14/07
LOL!!!  xuniL_z | 05/15/07
I'm Not Usually Prone To Outbursts, But...  pj_mouse | 05/14/07
Actually, it is change  Freebird54 | 05/14/07
Let's turn the flood around and examine Microsoft for patent violations.  Irritated_User | 05/14/07
A true, significant, and worthy Microsoft invention:  Joel R | 05/14/07
The active X technology you speak of belonged to EOLAS.  Intellihence | 02/25/09
Great post, nicely done. (NT)  tek_heretik | 05/14/07
Yet another hypocrite.  xuniL_z | 05/15/07
It's Like Buddy Holly...  psion@... | 05/14/07
Just turn in your MS Licenses for cash!  mikifinaz1@... | 05/14/07
Microsoft is Elmer F.U.D.  billferguson@... | 05/14/07
Be vewy vewy qwiet I'm hunting market share  BobF_z | 05/15/07
microsoft once again showing it's weakness  stevey_d | 05/14/07
WAAAA, WAAAA, WAAAA.....  jackofalltradesmasterofnone | 05/14/07
Remember DRDOS?  jackofalltradesmasterofnone | 05/14/07
You got that backwards, pal.  xuniL_z | 05/15/07
Prior Art  rreinhold058@... | 05/14/07
Bullies  SecurityExpert | 05/14/07
A Favor to Human Race  asterus@... | 05/14/07
Enfoe\rcing Patents  Gregory.J.Bradley@... | 05/14/07
"PATENTS WARS" Coming to a screen near you!  blc1839 | 05/15/07
Proof in History - MS Robber Barron ?  wwwsupport | 05/15/07
One Mistake  netevangelist | 05/15/07
Typical Micro$oft Strategy  smtp4me@... | 05/15/07
MS should do this, worked for SCO...  BobF_z | 05/15/07
Not even newsworthy  High Sierra | 05/15/07
Linux lowers blood pressure 15 points.  joe.smetona@... | 05/15/07
Double Edged Sword  adakelly2@... | 05/15/07
just my 2 cents  AlecWest2 | 05/15/07
I suspect Microsoft's just trying to get AHEAD...  Jeff Hayes | 05/15/07
different take  AlecWest2 | 05/16/07
Hitting the Nail on Its Head.  mad-man | 05/16/07
Still nothing has been named ..  mad-man | 05/16/07
Last Gasp of Software Patents  3dguru | 05/22/07
Assistant Attorney General Thomas Barnett  mighetto | 06/11/07
Crazy talk  daMan25 | 06/12/07
Every accusation must be followed by its proof.  giantiago | 05/18/09
and the fact...  pgit | 05/19/09
THE NEW MAFIA.... MS=MAFIASOFT??  maguilar2k | 05/19/09
RE: Microsoft: Free and open source software violates 235 Microsoft patents  kevin@... | 05/19/09
RE: Microsoft: Free and open source software violates 235 Microsoft patents  enawn | 05/19/09

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