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
2009-02-26 03:42:52
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
2009-02-26 06:56:31
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:
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.
"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."
Comments
Myfraudsoft
2009-02-26 01:03:59
Roy Schestowitz
2009-02-26 01:27:19
Shane Coyle
2009-02-26 02:10:05
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
2009-02-26 03:42:52
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
2009-02-26 06:56:31
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
2009-02-26 21:16:54
I'm not sure how the TomTom lawsuit jibes with Mr. Gates' October 2008 prediction that offshoring would prevent the current depression:
Nice guy, isn't he?