Comments on: Microsoft’s War on Linux is All About Software Patents Now

By: Dr. Roy Schestowitz

Dr. Roy Schestowitz — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 08:24:30 +0000

Some companies choose for immorality, at least among managers. Ruthlessness can be profitable because it blocks our natural inclination to collaborate.

By: dyfet

dyfet — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:28:25 +0000

One issue is legal standing. So long as they do not make the mistake of shaking down the “wrong” party who may choose to pursue such things or a war to the bitter end regardless of cost, there is little opportunity to see that happen, as what they think is a system that enables asymmetric costs of shakedowns may also be used to force far greater asymmetric costs back onto them. A class action on the other hand seeking a declarative injunction for restraint of trade and Rico seems perhaps possible, though. I might suggest a theory of indirect harm to assert legal standing for that; less free software people get employed as a direct result of their knowingly fraudulent actions.

By: Dr. Roy Schestowitz

Dr. Roy Schestowitz — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 08:01:31 +0000

Yes, but how does one pressure for RICO Act to actually be enforced? Citizens are very helpless here, partly because of the NDAs and PR (Microsoft controls the coverage). They pretend these are mutual agreements.

By: Needs Sunlight

Needs Sunlight — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 07:40:11 +0000

What M$ is doing is covered by The RICO Act. These shake downs have to stop.