Prior art for Microsoft's shoddy patents is ancient

MICROSOFT continues to threaten Linux/Android and Google increasingly provides assurance to partners (maybe even financial backing). B&N did the noble thing by refusing to pay "protection money". Google is likely to become involved now. One of the latest examples says that "Schmidt, on his stopover in Taipei said, "We tell our partners, including the ones here in Taiwan, we will support them. For example we have been supporting HTC in its dispute with Apple because we think that the Apple thing is not correct," reported Reuters."

Alan Shimel:

B&N claims that all of these are “trivial” and “insignificant” in terms of Android’s use. They claim Microsoft is using these patents for minor functionality to hold Android hostage. It is not just licensing fees either, though they claim is Microsoft is receiving anywhere from $5 dollars to $15 dollars or more per copy of Android sold (which is equal to or more than what they charge for Windows Mobile licenses). Barnes & Nobles claims that along with paying the blood money Microsoft demands, Microsoft also makes license holders sign an “oppressive” agreement which gives Microsoft say over future hardware and software configurations and innovations. This according to B&N is to ensure that they keep Android from advancing too far, too fast for Microsoft to keep up. That is in many ways worse than the licensing fees. Microsoft wants to control future Android development and innovation. Positively evil.