Investors, bankrupt companies, patent trolls, and drugs
This video reached YouTube just 3 days ago. It's not too clear if Nightly Business Report is copyrights-bound in this case, but enjoy it while it lasts (we're just linking)...
Comments
SubSonica
2007-11-29 07:52:07
Here you have a very,very good and clarifying speech
on software patents that explains very clearly why is
so important to avoid patent-encumbered format. The
speech explains LZW (patented by Unisys) and how it
was almost impossilble to avoid breaching the patent
since it was implemented in GIF.
I would call it “the software patents for dummies
speech”:
One of the examples the speech gives is the case of
LZW (patented by Unisys) and how it was almost
impossilble to avoid breaching the patent since it was
implemented in GIF.
But this can be applied to any format. I am sure that
MSOOXML and Silverlight are full of patents.
OK, now keep this in mind because it is important that
the engineers and developers ingenuously (or
disingenuously) implementing MSOOXML or Silverlight or
.mono in FOSS projects to know why this is a terribly
bad idea:
One of the things the speech warns about, is that
patents that are in the pipeline waiting for approval
are secret for at least 18 months, so I am sure that
even if no patent covers MSOOXML yet, they have
something prepared in case the format gets approved by
ISO and gains adoption. Once the patents are
disclosed, people would already be locked-in, so
Microsoft can sue around users and companies alike and
cause much disruption.
Roy Schestowitz
2007-11-29 10:46:31
I would call it “the software patents for dummies speech”
I found it on FSDaily last night and I was going to mention it today. Thanks for the tip.
But this can be applied to any format. I am sure that MSOOXML and Silverlight are full of patents.
Yes.
...so I am sure that even if no patent covers MSOOXML yet, they have something prepared in case the format gets approved by ISO and gains adoption
I know there is a pledge, but I've received E-mails that suggest OOXML-related stuff keeps entering WIPO (site search brings that up). Combine that with Bill Hilf's "No lawsuits -- for now." Smart people don't throw rocks in a house made of glass.
Once the patents are disclosed, people would already be locked-in, so Microsoft can sue around users and companies alike and cause much disruption.
Our stories aren't discouraged or considered taboo because of racism or "toxic politics" or anything like that; they just hurt powerful people and corporations
"poor working environments, including discrimination and inequality, excessive workloads, low job control and job insecurity pose a risk to mental health"
Who needs RAs (layoffs, which have been rebranded as "buyouts" like pink slips are generous "gifts") when workers can have their butts kicked every day and WARN Act reporting thresholds are never approached?
Someone should ask Linus Torvalds or his boss (Linux Foundation) if they deem slop, which nobody audits, trustworthy enough to add to every computer out there running the Linux kernel
Using imbeciles who lie to cops and then dox cops (and already have arrest record and court documents wherein they admit being stoned in front of the cops)
Comments
SubSonica
2007-11-29 07:52:07
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/stallman-mec-india.html#speech
One of the examples the speech gives is the case of LZW (patented by Unisys) and how it was almost impossilble to avoid breaching the patent since it was implemented in GIF.
But this can be applied to any format. I am sure that MSOOXML and Silverlight are full of patents. OK, now keep this in mind because it is important that the engineers and developers ingenuously (or disingenuously) implementing MSOOXML or Silverlight or .mono in FOSS projects to know why this is a terribly bad idea:
One of the things the speech warns about, is that patents that are in the pipeline waiting for approval are secret for at least 18 months, so I am sure that even if no patent covers MSOOXML yet, they have something prepared in case the format gets approved by ISO and gains adoption. Once the patents are disclosed, people would already be locked-in, so Microsoft can sue around users and companies alike and cause much disruption.
Roy Schestowitz
2007-11-29 10:46:31
I found it on FSDaily last night and I was going to mention it today. Thanks for the tip.
Yes.
I know there is a pledge, but I've received E-mails that suggest OOXML-related stuff keeps entering WIPO (site search brings that up). Combine that with Bill Hilf's "No lawsuits -- for now." Smart people don't throw rocks in a house made of glass.
Keep warning IBM.
http://boycottnovell.com/2007/11/27/mono-free-linux/