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May 21st, 2008

Memo to Microsoft: Put up or shut up on patent claims

Posted by Dana Blankenhorn @ 7:22 am

Categories: General, Legal, Microsoft, Patents, Strategy, marketing

Tags: Patent, Microsoft Corp., Claim, Dana Blankenhorn

Emperors New Clothes, musical performed at Muhlenberg College, PAI was reminded today that it has now been a year since Microsoft made its claim that Linux violates hundreds of its patents.

In the year since Microsoft has used this FUD like a bargaining chip. It has sued no one. It has not pressed its patent claims against anyone.

This is remarkable given the fact that patents don’t last forever. Unlike copyright, patent rights have not been extended into the lives of our great-great-great grandchildren.

Instead Microsoft has used these claims in a way the tailors, in the tale of the Emperor with his new clothes, could only have dreamed of doing. (The musical version of this tale was done in Allentown, Penn. last summer.)

They have signed innumerable contracts based on the claims, contracts which assume the truth of the claims, and caused the production of products whose chief  selling point is that their makers admit the legitimacy of the claims.

Microsoft seems in no hurry to change the status quo. They are not going to put up, in the form of a lawsuit. They are not going to shut up, either,  given the commercial advantages they have created.

Open source advocates have two options. They can ignore the Microsoft claims and wait for the patents in question to expire, or they can bring suit based on claims of harm from bogus patents.

Which do you recommend?

What should open source advocates do about Microsoft's Linux patent claims?

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Dana BlankenhornDana Blankenhorn has been a business journalist for 30 years, a tech freelancer since 1983. You can follow Dana on Twitter. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.

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  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 205 Talkback(s)
Only an idiot..........
Would attempt to answer idiotic questions. Answer your own questions (if you can). You should have known by now, I will not attempt to answer them for you.... (Read the rest)
Posted by: Ole Man Posted on: 05/30/08 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
Glass houses...  bjbrock | 05/21/08
Slight of hand  kozmcrae | 05/21/08
Two glass houses  No_Ax_to_Grind | 05/21/08
Once again, no_ax makes claims he knows to be false.  odubtaig | 05/21/08
LOL that's so funny  nizuse | 05/21/08
Propaganda?  kozmcrae | 05/21/08
But it was made public, Axey  TtfnJohn | 05/21/08
Ha, ha! That's very logical!!  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
And you know this how?  GuidingLight | 05/21/08
And you don't know that...  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
Require them to what?  odubtaig | 05/21/08
I think he is like many others in previous blogs  xuniL_z | 05/22/08
Oh right, now MS cares about its image too much.  odubtaig | 05/23/08
I've not heard that one before  xuniL_z | 05/23/08
Never been involved in any OLPC rant.  odubtaig | 05/24/08
wrong as usual.  xuniL_z | 05/24/08
I still can't see in ...  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
Just close you're eyes  tombalablomba | 05/21/08
Age cannot wither...  Anton Philidor | 05/21/08
If by 'deal with competitors' you mean...  odubtaig | 05/21/08
No, Anton never means that.  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
Quick troll...  AndyCee | 05/21/08
Keats  Anton Philidor | 05/22/08
Thank you for providing the correct author and context!  Still Lynn | 05/22/08
What fools these mortals be...  TtfnJohn | 05/21/08
...  Linux User 147560 | 05/21/08
Off-shoring  Anton Philidor | 05/21/08
Soaring off (sleight of word)  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
In an attempt to be fair...  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
"open source in now no more than ..lower staff costs" you just don't get it  stevey_d | 05/21/08
That a freedom is available...  Anton Philidor | 05/21/08
We are getting totally off topic but...  TripleII | 05/21/08
Fedora exists...  Anton Philidor | 05/22/08
re: That a freedom is available...  none none | 05/21/08
Trusting your neighbor.  Anton Philidor | 05/22/08
In fact, enough companies pay for software and services to make Red Hat ...  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
*THAT*s what freedom is all about.  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
Who's the huckster?  Anton Philidor | 05/22/08
Which company is huckstering you?  Still Lynn | 05/22/08
What's it like being a minimalist?  xuniL_z | 05/23/08
Which company is huckstering you?  Ole Man | 05/22/08
RE: Memo to Microsoft: Put up or shut up on patent claims  Loverock Davidson | 05/21/08
Nope... nobody ever lies  John L. Ries | 05/21/08
I say so vs an offer of proof  DanaBlankenhornZDNet Moderator | 05/21/08
So there WAS WMD in Iraq?  GuidingLight | 05/21/08
Onus is on Microsoft ...  MisterMiester | 05/21/08
Why?  eb276 | 05/21/08
No it is Microsoft who has made claims...  mrlinux | 05/21/08
Like I said before ...  MisterMiester | 05/21/08
@mrlinux and mistermeister  eb276 | 05/21/08
Doesn't change the facts ...  MisterMiester | 05/21/08
The money is on the table and MS ain't showin'  TtfnJohn | 05/21/08
Maybe for you  eb276 | 05/21/08
@TtfnJohn  eb276 | 05/21/08
Message has been deleted.  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
MS expects it's customers to show  devlin_X | 05/21/08
re: I think fair is fair  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
Where are the lawyers?  Mr_Dave | 05/21/08
Nes and yo.  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
Message has been deleted.  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
I'll take a double Guiding Light on the rocks!!  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
Technically, yes there were WMD in Iraq, but...  srobtjones@... | 05/22/08
Microsoft is an organisation...  Henry Miller | 05/21/08
Lovey of Microsoft  elderlybloke | 05/21/08
I thought this whole argument died.  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
They won't  John L. Ries | 05/21/08
Re: They won't  none none | 05/21/08
Watch your language, my friend.  jk_10 | 05/21/08
Thank you very much  DanaBlankenhornZDNet Moderator | 05/21/08
Yes Dana, you should be more careful  Ole Man | 05/21/08
Apparently they didn't teach you well.  storm14k | 05/21/08
Language  elderlybloke | 05/21/08
What language are you coding in?  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
Sorry Sean...  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
RE: Memo to Microsoft: Put up or shut up on patent claims  DanaBlankenhornZDNet Moderator | 05/21/08
In that case  mdemuth | 05/21/08
problem is .. the clock is ticking  stevey_d | 05/21/08
Laches? Protecting shareholder equity?  MisterMiester | 05/21/08
Honestly, what can OpenSource do?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 05/21/08
Honestly, what can MS do.  TripleII | 05/21/08
And all your ranting does, nada...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 05/21/08
I think the folks here like proof, sorry dude, you never have any.  TripleII | 05/21/08
DUDE!  Linux User 147560 | 05/21/08
Dude, you came out swinging  bfilipiak@... | 05/21/08
Yes, but it was needed.  TripleII | 05/21/08
Hold his feet to the fire, TripleII  Ole Man | 05/21/08
Snap! That boy was SPANKED!  none none | 05/21/08
The Beauty of OpenSource  PMC-CON | 05/21/08
Mike Cox is back! 8.7.  TripleII | 05/21/08
So, you are unable to refute him?  markbn | 05/21/08
Markbn, it's trollbait.  TripleII | 05/21/08
Ad hominem disinformation  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
Excuse Open Spurce, rant about MS???  No_Ax_to_Grind | 05/22/08
TripleII, i think you missed an important piece. Microsoft HAS acted.......  xuniL_z | 05/23/08
"trying to reach agreements"  Ole Man | 05/23/08
You need schooled  xuniL_z | 05/24/08
Not by a pipsqueak  Ole Man | 05/25/08
As usual, Ole Man goes for the attack when none was needed.  xuniL_z | 05/26/08
Mr. Basackward strikes again!  Ole Man | 05/30/08
Run your mouth if you like...  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
The difference they have been found guilty of stealing "real" IP  xuniL_z | 05/21/08
Naturally...  John L. Ries | 05/21/08
There is one difference.  xuniL_z | 05/22/08
I'll buy part of that  John L. Ries | 05/22/08
Hit the submit button on accident  John L. Ries | 05/22/08
It's no use.  xuniL_z | 05/22/08
Xunil: That's a lot to talk about...  John L. Ries | 05/22/08
To start with, I have said Mr. Ballmer  xuniL_z | 05/23/08
"accused Microsoft of a long list of items where there is no proof"  Ole Man | 05/23/08
Ole Man, you honestly don't realize these sites you post are  xuniL_z | 05/23/08
It depends, Zunny  Ole Man | 05/23/08
under your guidelines........  xuniL_z | 05/24/08
We are NOT using MY guidelines, Zuny  Ole Man | 05/25/08
Ole Man, in a nutshell.  xuniL_z | 05/26/08
In YOUR "nutshell"  Ole Man | 05/30/08
Opinion is unethical or immoral now?  devlin_X | 05/21/08
Not exactly, only non-toadying opinion is unethical/immoral  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
Have you taken your pill today?  devlin_X | 05/22/08
Sorry, must have taken yours by mistake...  Still Lynn | 05/22/08
Even the editorials  xuniL_z | 05/22/08
Sometimes you lose your train (preview option!)  TripleII | 05/21/08
Why  xuniL_z | 05/22/08
Much better  John L. Ries | 05/22/08
But we must get beyond.....  xuniL_z | 05/22/08
Your rambling rant reveals  Ole Man | 05/22/08
Well  xuniL_z | 05/22/08
Another much needed lesson for you  Ole Man | 05/23/08
where is the link to this "knowledge"  xuniL_z | 05/23/08
Reading comprehension is a must  Ole Man | 05/23/08
In other words  xuniL_z | 05/23/08
Take my word for it?????????????  Ole Man | 05/23/08
It's simple Ole Man.  xuniL_z | 05/24/08
Yes, it's so simple, it zoomed waaaaaaay over your head  Ole Man | 05/25/08
Nice reply Ole Man  xuniL_z | 05/26/08
Can't even find a Microsoft propaganda site!  Ole Man | 05/30/08
It's difficult to say given that these findings are...  odubtaig | 05/21/08
They could...  John L. Ries | 05/21/08
did it ever occur to you  xuniL_z | 05/23/08
It was made public and it wasn't FSF  TtfnJohn | 05/21/08
Why do you continue this dishonest diatribe?  Still Lynn | 05/21/08
Honestly, obviously, nobody cares.  TripleII | 05/21/08
If software algorithms are patentable...  xunil skcor | 05/21/08
And  Spiritusindomit@... | 05/21/08
Um no.  odubtaig | 05/21/08
Some people don't know the difference  Ole Man | 05/21/08
Nand  Still Lynn | 05/22/08
Wow! When you whip'um you have no mercy, do you?  Ole Man | 05/22/08
Wrong..again  TtfnJohn | 05/22/08
Hardly.  odubtaig | 05/21/08
well, that's some encouragement  xuniL_z | 05/25/08
Some assumptions are being made here.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 05/21/08
Re: Some assumptions are being made here.  none none | 05/21/08
Spanked again!!  Still Lynn | 05/22/08
They showed them prior to the deal?  storm14k | 05/21/08
Remember that both MS and Sun did  NetArch. | 05/22/08
No Ax of Microsoft  elderlybloke | 05/21/08
We have no way of knowing...  John L. Ries | 05/21/08
Unless you take Novell's comments for what they weren't  TtfnJohn | 05/21/08
Some statements are not being made here.  Still Lynn | 05/22/08
Consider this: Your posts are why they do it.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 05/21/08
It's fun on a cloudy rainy day.  TtfnJohn | 05/21/08
There's a plan.  odubtaig | 05/21/08
Before I am able to think about whatever "it" is...  Still Lynn | 05/22/08
Consider this  deaf_e_kate | 05/22/08
He did shut up didn't he? Also, time's ticking.  TripleII | 05/21/08
Urgh, you might want to rephrase that.  odubtaig | 05/21/08
Now that was funny!  TripleII | 05/21/08
i just hope the more goverment legistaltion kick the hell from MS  Quebec-french | 05/21/08
Both sides don't have to worry about their illegal IP  Boot_Agnostic | 05/21/08
Let's look at reality...  Spiritusindomit@... | 05/21/08
Millions to find your own patent??????  TtfnJohn | 05/21/08
You're not able to see Reality, so I'll show you some...  Still Lynn | 05/22/08
Yes, people here want proof  Spiritusindomit@... | 05/21/08
Have you been seeing television spots again?  Still Lynn | 05/22/08
Or nefarious surreal invisible spirits floating around  Ole Man | 05/22/08
Hurting for some Microsoft Hate blogging??  xuniL_z | 05/21/08
Interesting conclusions.  odubtaig | 05/21/08
typical.  xuniL_z | 05/22/08
You need to pay attention.  odubtaig | 05/23/08
Here you go, educate yourself.  xuniL_z | 05/24/08
re: Hurting for some Microsoft Hate blogging??  none none | 05/21/08
Ok, tell me please  xuniL_z | 05/22/08
It was Balmer's outrageous claims.  TripleII | 05/21/08
TripleII...  xuniL_z | 05/22/08
"there was merit to them or why would they have done it?"  Ole Man | 05/21/08
I thought  xuniL_z | 05/23/08
I thought  Ole Man | 05/23/08
Tell me exactly why  xuniL_z | 05/24/08
One little thing more.  xuniL_z | 05/24/08
I have told you enough, Zuny  Ole Man | 05/25/08
I predicted that one spot on.  xuniL_z | 05/26/08
Only an idiot..........  Ole Man | 05/30/08
And Microsoft wonders why most people hate them ???  Basic Logic | 05/21/08
Pep[le? Naw, just disinfrnchised Linux fans. (nt)  No_Ax_to_Grind | 05/22/08
Pep[le? Naw, just disinfrnchised ...  Still Lynn | 05/22/08
You'd better just hope  Ole Man | 05/22/08
Poll  JDThompson | 05/21/08
Congrats Dana. You finally got a lot of talkbacks...  transposeIT | 05/22/08
Anti VS Pro  Ole Man | 05/22/08
memo to Micro$oft  exxtraz | 05/22/08
Microsoft is now in Israel  BALTHOR | 05/22/08
Microsoft represents big money  Ole Man | 05/22/08
re: Microsoft represents big money  none none | 05/22/08
Well, thank you! I stand corrected  Ole Man | 05/22/08
So??  reedjjjr | 05/27/08

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