02.25.09

Quick Mention: Microsoft, Amid/Near Debt, Declares Legal War on Linux

Posted in Courtroom, GNU/Linux, Kernel, Microsoft, TomTom, Videos at 7:30 pm by Dr. Roy Schestowitz

If any proof was needed that Microsoft is going down, it’s this desperate first lawsuit against Linux (over patents). The lawsuit is against TomTom, whose CEO recently made the statements seen below.

More details to come shortly.

TomTom CEO: ‘We spent more money on patent litigation then R&D

TomTom CEO: ‘The cumbersome patent situation works against everyone who is trying to build business’

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6 Comments

Myfraudsoft said,

February 25, 2009 at 8:03 pm

Second link (slashdot) gives error page.
Roy Schestowitz said,

February 25, 2009 at 8:27 pm

Thanks, I made a typo. It works now.
Shane Coyle said,

February 25, 2009 at 9:10 pm

Insofar as allegations that seem to relate to Linux, they seem to be mostly about FAT filesystem.

One feature that they seem to be impressed with themselves about is storing a long and short version of a filename, like Progra~1/Program Files I guess. Two different patent #’s listed on that one, um, innovation.

I haven’t (won’t) look at the patents, but the slashdot article links to the complaints – patent numbers are in there if you are interested. What I find interesting is that this is just after SCOTUS winked in the direction of Rambus and basically said submarine patenting is a valid tactic.

Let it become a (de-facto or even facto) standard first, then starting sending out royalty demands after.
Victor Soliz said,

February 25, 2009 at 10:42 pm

Sounds much worse than an attack on Linux.

An attack on Linux was always appraochable.

An attack on third parties using FAT32 is going to screw everybody, if mp3 was bad, imagine that you will need to pay royalties just to read an average flash drive.
amd-linux said,

February 26, 2009 at 1:56 am

As the final battle M$ vs. Freedom now seems to start, I hope Groklaw gets back to life soon. Me thinks that this could is the start of the final showdown in Microsoft’s crusade against freedom. I hope you keep us updated.

BTW:
Here is a German court decision over alleged MS claims with regard to the FAT filessystem:

http://vale.homelinux.net/wordpress/2007/03/01/two-short-and-clear-messages-from-germany-to-steve-b/
twitter said,

February 26, 2009 at 4:16 pm

M$ is twirling down the toilet now. The 52 week M$FT low is now $16.36. They closed at $16.42 today. This should be compared to their Y2K price of nearly $60 and “recovery” price of $30 or so. See this short history of M$’s patent extortion and keep up with my M$ Death Watch for more fun.

I’m not sure how the TomTom lawsuit jibes with Mr. Gates’ October 2008 prediction that offshoring would prevent the current depression:

“It looks like the economy may go down somewhat, but nothing like a big recession or a depression. … The amount of innovation taking place, the amount of investment is actually greater today than ever,” Gates said. “Because you not only have more American companies with more scientists and engineers and innovators, but now you have … people from all over, including lots of people in India and China, now contributing to new drug design, new software design, new energy generation design.”

Nice guy, isn’t he?

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