Summary: Hit piece tries to mischaracterise Microsoft's extortion scheme and exaggerate its toll

Now that Sharp might be picked by Microsoft's patent friends at Apple we are seeing a strange article by Paul McDougall, who was promoting the patent agenda of Microsoft for a few years now. The title is a little misleading, it is files under a "Windows 8" section (we suspect Microsoft pays for creation of such sections, as well as other things like special magazine placements that are not advertisements), and the timing is strange because the 'news' is:

Sharp has licensed Microsoft's exFAT file system for use in its Android tablets, Sigma and NexttoDi have licensed it for their high-end cameras, and Black Magic and Atomos Global have licensed the file system for their broadcast-quality video recording devices, Microsoft said Wednesday. Sharp earlier this month said it's on pace to lose $5.6 billion this year, and that it may not survive.

In Japan, where software patents are valid, Microsoft managed to sign some deals of this kind. Moreover, the Sharp deal is not new at all. Well, it's about exFAT, which Tuxera spreads to Linux and Android, it is not directly about Android (see the headline from McDougall). But this is not the main problem with the article. The author should know better. He is stupid enough (if not malicious enough) to quote a Microsoft mouthpiece, Enderle, in order to spread FUD as usual. Enderle is speaking publicly with Microsoft Florian, who is also paid by Microsoft (Enderle is for sure). For those who are not familiar with Enderle, see past posts such as:

• How Close is Rob Enderle to Microsoft? Here's How Close. (Updated)
• Rob Enderle Guarantees “Amazing Numbers”, Show E-mails to Microsoft
• “Enderle Has Been Paid by Both Microsoft and Dell to Say Bad Things About Apple”
• Rob Enderle (Microsoft Shill) Spreads Impending Lawsuit FUD, Smears GNU/Linux
• How Jim Allchin, Gartner and Enderle Lied to the Whole World

Here is the latest disinformation from Enderle: "Microsoft's IP licensing program is likely generating significant revenue for the company, although it does not break out specific figures. Industry analyst Rob Enderle, of the Enderle Group, estimates that Redmond receives $15 for every licensed Android device sold. Android is the leading smartphone operating system, and the number two tablet OS. Microsoft has claimed that it has inked licensing deals with over half of all Android device makers."

Well, this is probably nonsense too, Microsoft claims this on number of devices sold, and much of the tax is only FAT related. HTC is said to be paying just $5 per Android device and HTC does not have many patents. Microsoft did try to get thrice the tax from Samsung, but it did not succeed. Enderle is attempting to distort the facts and scare companies that consider Android. Articles that quote Microsoft-funded mouthpieces deserve to be told off because they become part of the problem. When myths are being circulated Microsoft benefits a lot. And that's why it pays people like Enderle and Müller, hiding behind their one-man 'consultancies' that absorb bribes (sometimes referred to as "pay to say"). ⬆

"Working behind the scenes to orchestrate "independent" praise of our technology, and damnation of the enemy's, is a key evangelism function during the Slog. "Independent" analyst's report should be issued, praising your technology and damning the competitors (or ignoring them). "Independent" consultants should write columns and articles, give conference presentations and moderate stacked panels, all on our behalf (and setting them up as experts in the new technology, available for just $200/hour). "Independent" academic sources should be cultivated and quoted (and research money granted). "Independent" courseware providers should start profiting from their early involvement in our technology. Every possible source of leverage should be sought and turned to our advantage."

--Microsoft, internal document [PDF]