Comments on: Patent Pains Begin — Microsoft Disables Novell SUSE Code http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/ Free Software Sentry – watching and reporting maneuvers of those threatened by software freedom Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:00:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: loopy http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/comment-page-4/#comment-1055 loopy Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:25:37 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/08/patent-font/#comment-1055 loser u f******* w***** loser u f******* w*****

]]> By: wooooooooooooooooo go me!!! http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/comment-page-4/#comment-1054 wooooooooooooooooo go me!!! Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:24:46 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/08/patent-font/#comment-1054 WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO U R GAY HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO U R GAY HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

]]> By: loopy http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/comment-page-3/#comment-1053 loopy Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:21:18 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/08/patent-font/#comment-1053 u r cool u r cool

]]> By: shane http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/comment-page-3/#comment-541 shane Thu, 12 Apr 2007 19:09:59 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/08/patent-font/#comment-541 Try <a href="http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/10/novell-really-we-dont-have-a-patent-cross-license/" rel="nofollow">this posting</a> Try this posting

]]> By: Paul Giannaros http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/comment-page-3/#comment-539 Paul Giannaros Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:49:07 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/08/patent-font/#comment-539 Roy: The sensationalist article here was _proven_ to be completely incorrect. Will you please either post a new article stating as such, or amend the original article with a note? Thank you very much. Roy: The sensationalist article here was _proven_ to be completely incorrect. Will you please either post a new article stating as such, or amend the original article with a note?
Thank you very much.

]]> By: Roy Schestowitz http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/comment-page-3/#comment-537 Roy Schestowitz Wed, 11 Apr 2007 22:46:43 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/08/patent-font/#comment-537 I may be the exception here, but I think that <em>all</em> software patents <em>and</em> business methods (e.g. Amazon's infamous one-click purchase) should be nullified. These are illegal in the whole world for a reason. You can't own mathematical/analytical processes. Now they try to patent things which relate to human tissue. It's madness. I see no reason why Linux users should receive poor features because the distributor is now located in the States. I may be the exception here, but I think that all software patents and business methods (e.g. Amazon’s infamous one-click purchase) should be nullified. These are illegal in the whole world for a reason. You can’t own mathematical/analytical processes. Now they try to patent things which relate to human tissue. It’s madness. I see no reason why Linux users should receive poor features because the distributor is now located in the States.

]]> By: Distant Observer http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/comment-page-3/#comment-536 Distant Observer Wed, 11 Apr 2007 21:03:31 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/08/patent-font/#comment-536 Sub-pixel anti-aliasing has prior art written all over it. In fact, when Acorn's introduced the market to the RiscOS operating system c1989, it had sub-pixel anti-aliasing built in. Implemented by Roger (later Sophie) Wilson. Sounds like time the EFF jumped on board and got these patents nullified. Sub-pixel anti-aliasing has prior art written all over it. In fact, when Acorn’s introduced the market to the RiscOS operating system c1989, it had sub-pixel anti-aliasing built in. Implemented by Roger (later Sophie) Wilson.

Sounds like time the EFF jumped on board and got these patents nullified.

]]> By: shane http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/comment-page-2/#comment-532 shane Tue, 10 Apr 2007 20:26:58 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/08/patent-font/#comment-532 Bruce Lowry has <a href="http://www.novell.com/prblogs/?p=318" rel="nofollow">updated the Novell PR blog with a similar explanation</a>: <blockquote cite="http://www.novell.com/prblogs/?p=318"> In this specific case, the ClearType font is supplied as part of the freetype2 package; last summer the upstream maintainer changed the package’s default settings to disable Clear Type and thereby avoid possibly relevant Microsoft patents. So, consistent with Novell’s preexisting practices and current policy, Novell is using the default settings established by the upstream maintainer. Distributions such as Fedora made the same choice. This issue only came up in the summer of 2006 and therefore older distributions are using the previous default (enabled ClearType). </blockquote> Bruce Lowry has updated the Novell PR blog with a similar explanation:

In this specific case, the ClearType font is supplied as part of the freetype2 package; last summer the upstream maintainer changed the package’s default settings to disable Clear Type and thereby avoid possibly relevant Microsoft patents. So, consistent with Novell’s preexisting practices and current policy, Novell is using the default settings established by the upstream maintainer. Distributions such as Fedora made the same choice. This issue only came up in the summer of 2006 and therefore older distributions are using the previous default (enabled ClearType).

]]> By: IC http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/comment-page-2/#comment-531 IC Tue, 10 Apr 2007 19:46:30 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/08/patent-font/#comment-531 This was disabled before the Novell/MS deal. And by the DEVELOPER, not Novell... And even with the deal they have to be worried about the patent. Other distro's should be worried too.. All the goof balls mouthing that this distro has it and Opensuse is in bed with MS need to be worried they dont ruin it for their distro. ARE ALL YOU GOING TO RETRACT THE STATEMENTS YOU MAKE WHEN YOU ARE PROVEN WRONG? This was disabled before the Novell/MS deal. And by the DEVELOPER, not Novell… And even with the deal they have to be worried about the patent.

Other distro’s should be worried too.. All the goof balls mouthing that this distro has it and Opensuse is in bed with MS need to be worried they dont ruin it for their distro.

ARE ALL YOU GOING TO RETRACT THE STATEMENTS YOU MAKE WHEN YOU ARE PROVEN WRONG?

]]> By: Mike http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/comment-page-2/#comment-530 Mike Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:46:46 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/08/patent-font/#comment-530 FWIW, this isn't something Novell did, this was done by the FreeTyp developer well before the Novell/Microsoft partnership: http://www.mail-archive.com/freetype@nongnu.org/msg00972.html FWIW, this isn’t something Novell did, this was done by the FreeTyp developer well before the Novell/Microsoft partnership:
http://www.mail-archive.com/freetype@nongnu.org/msg00972.html

]]> By: shane http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/comment-page-2/#comment-529 shane Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:40:47 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/08/patent-font/#comment-529 Since <a href="http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/09/bruce-perens-responds-to-act-assertions/" rel="nofollow">Microsoft is now a distributor of GPLv2 code</a>, this should no longer be an issue for anyone - right? <blockquote cite="http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2112267,00.asp"> “So, Microsoft is actively participating in distribution of the GPL2 software today, and must have assented to GPL 2 to do that, because any distribution without assent to GPL2 would be infringement. Under GPL 2, they have already given away the rights to use Microsoft patents that are applied in the Novell distribution, for any use in any GPL software, by anyone, forever,” Perens said. </blockquote> Since Microsoft is now a distributor of GPLv2 code, this should no longer be an issue for anyone – right?

“So, Microsoft is actively participating in distribution of the GPL2 software today, and must have assented to GPL 2 to do that, because any distribution without assent to GPL2 would be infringement. Under GPL 2, they have already given away the rights to use Microsoft patents that are applied in the Novell distribution, for any use in any GPL software, by anyone, forever,” Perens said.

]]> By: shane http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/comment-page-2/#comment-528 shane Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:36:20 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/08/patent-font/#comment-528 They're actually invalid here, too. <a href="http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2007/02/microsoft_v_att_2.html" rel="nofollow">Microsoft's own lawyer made that argument to the Supreme Court of the United States</a> just recently: <blockquote cite="http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2007/02/microsoft_v_att_2.html"> MR. OLSON [For Microsoft]: The ‘580 patent is a program, as I understand it, that’s married to a computer, has to be married to a computer in order to be patented. JUSTICE SCALIA: You can’t patent, you know, on-off, on-off code in the abstract, can you? MR. OLSON: That’s correct, Justice Scalia. JUSTICE SCALIA: There needs to be a device. MR. OLSON: An idea or a principle, two plus two equals four can’t be patented. It has to be put together with a machine and made into a usable device. </blockquote> They’re actually invalid here, too. Microsoft’s own lawyer made that argument to the Supreme Court of the United States just recently:

MR. OLSON [For Microsoft]: The ‘580 patent is a program, as I understand it, that’s married to a computer, has to be married to a computer in order to be patented.
JUSTICE SCALIA: You can’t patent, you know, on-off, on-off code in the abstract, can you?
MR. OLSON: That’s correct, Justice Scalia.
JUSTICE SCALIA: There needs to be a device.
MR. OLSON: An idea or a principle, two plus two equals four can’t be patented. It has to be put together with a machine and made into a usable device.

]]> By: Simon Redding http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/comment-page-1/#comment-527 Simon Redding Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:28:24 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/08/patent-font/#comment-527 Well, software patents aren't valid over here in the UK... Tough for you guys over there - I'd get lobbying... Well, software patents aren’t valid over here in the UK…
Tough for you guys over there – I’d get lobbying…

]]> By: shane http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/comment-page-1/#comment-522 shane Sun, 08 Apr 2007 16:14:10 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/08/patent-font/#comment-522 Ah yes, State Street - that friggin decision really is the lynchpin of this entire patent problem, isn't it. That's why all software patents begin with the words "A method"... Here's the thing though, for patents I thought the basic premise is you have to show how you did it and receive a monopoly on that implementation (balancing public benefit vs inventor profit) - none of these patent apps show the code (because it's a trade secret), so are they even valid? Code gets copyrighted, then you can hide it as a trade secret, but patents don't apply. Ah yes, State Street – that friggin decision really is the lynchpin of this entire patent problem, isn’t it. That’s why all software patents begin with the words "A method"…

Here’s the thing though, for patents I thought the basic premise is you have to show how you did it and receive a monopoly on that implementation (balancing public benefit vs inventor profit) – none of these patent apps show the code (because it’s a trade secret), so are they even valid?

Code gets copyrighted, then you can hide it as a trade secret, but patents don’t apply.

]]> By: Roy Schestowitz http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/comment-page-1/#comment-519 Roy Schestowitz Sun, 08 Apr 2007 15:11:41 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/08/patent-font/#comment-519 Have a look at this brand-new article from law.com: <font size="1"> Inside the Microsoft War Room ,----[ Quote ] | Help wanted: Anyone want a job as a patent litigator at the world's | biggest software company? | | [...] | | Microsoft became a patent powerhouse only after the Supreme Court's | 1998 State Street decision legitimized patents on software. The | company revamped its patenting regime and went from a portfolio of | less than a dozen patents to more than 5,000 today. `---- http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1175850243704 Then, I urge you to see this piece of evidence that suggest Redmond 'troopers' are nothing but lawyers and marketers. ,----[ Quote ] | Asked about these problems, Arno Edelmann, Microsoft's European business | security product manager, told ZDNet UK on Thursday that the code itself | has pieces missing... "Usually Microsoft doesn't develop products, we buy | products. It's not a bad product, but bits and pieces are missing," said | Edelmann. `---- http://news.zdnet.co.uk/security/0,1000000189,39286351,00.htm </font> Have a look at this brand-new article from law.com:


Inside the Microsoft War Room

,—-[ Quote ]
| Help wanted: Anyone want a job as a patent litigator at the world’s
| biggest software company?
|
| [...]
|
| Microsoft became a patent powerhouse only after the Supreme Court’s
| 1998 State Street decision legitimized patents on software. The
| company revamped its patenting regime and went from a portfolio of
| less than a dozen patents to more than 5,000 today.
`—-

http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1175850243704

Then, I urge you to see this piece of evidence that suggest Redmond ‘troopers’ are nothing but lawyers and marketers.

,—-[ Quote ]
| Asked about these problems, Arno Edelmann, Microsoft’s European business
| security product manager, told ZDNet UK on Thursday that the code itself
| has pieces missing… “Usually Microsoft doesn’t develop products, we buy
| products. It’s not a bad product, but bits and pieces are missing,” said
| Edelmann.
`—-

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/security/0,1000000189,39286351,00.htm

]]> By: shane http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/comment-page-1/#comment-518 shane Sun, 08 Apr 2007 13:35:56 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/08/patent-font/#comment-518 Um, software patents aren't valid. So, did Microsoft patent the PC, or is it the monitor they patented? What is the <a href="http://boycottnovell.com/2007/02/22/there-needs-to-be-a-device/" rel="nofollow">device</a>? Um, software patents aren’t valid. So, did Microsoft patent the PC, or is it the monitor they patented? What is the device?

]]> By: gpl1 http://techrights.org/2007/04/08/patent-font/comment-page-1/#comment-517 gpl1 Sun, 08 Apr 2007 13:06:30 +0000 http://boycottnovell.com/2007/04/08/patent-font/#comment-517 very good catch. At first thought I believed it was just the Apple-Freetype thing that every distro seems to disable, but this goes farther than that. very good catch. At first thought I believed it was just the Apple-Freetype thing that every distro seems to disable, but this goes farther than that.

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