A lot is being said in virtually every Open Source blog and publication. Here are a couple of reactions which stand out from the crowd.

It's Time for Microsoft to Put Up or Shut Up

I take offense at the notion that anyone in the Open Source world is willfully violating a Microsoft patent, particularly since Microsoft refuses to disclose any potential violations:

"Gutierrez refuses to identify specific patents or explain how they're being infringed, lest FOSS advocates start filing challenges to them."

Gutierrez and Microsoft aren’t interested in intellectual property rights. They’re not interested in allowing the Open Source world to defend itself. They’re not interested in a fair fight. Like a bully, they refuse to face the Open Source world in a fair fight, instead hinting at willful infringement and making backhanded threats. Why? Like any bully they fear that when faced with a fair fight in the light of day they will be revealed for the bully they are. Like any bully they fear that which they threaten.

Why Linux Will Turn Microsoft's Ballmer Into A Boy Named Sue

Microsoft is between a rock and a hard place. Google is eating its lunch on the Internet, and big PC vendors like Dell are warming up to Linux. What to do? Sue, Sue, Sue.

Looking at a future where the cost of all software is zero, the software giant might evolve into an entity that cannot compete. Subscription-based and ad-supported services will give it the run for a breath of fresh air. Only last week, Bill Gates stressed that advertising should become the company's top priority, but they are virtually nowhere to be seen.

Microsoft could one day become an army of lawyers with a patent portfolio. Early signs indicate that it is willing to become a software patent troll. Public image is truly not a top priority and alienation of existing customers seems acceptable, too.

Addendum: here are a few more quotes which I could not help appending.

"The only thing we have to fear is FUD itself."

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"I'll grant any non-IT professional the right to misunderstand this -- but any programmer, developer or software architect claiming software patents are a good idea just flips the bozo bit for me.

If your name is on a software patent, you should feel ashamed."

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"So for now, the company's strategy appears to hedge on FUD, and a smattering of well-publicized reminders of the big patent stick it can use to club those who resist its carrots."

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