Microsoft's licence threat to Linux
Daisuke Wakabayashi and Jim Finkle
MAY 16, 2007

MICROSOFT has made its biggest challenge against open-source software,
including Windows rival Linux, claiming that such programs violate 235
Microsoft patents and saying it will seek licence fees.

The world's largest software maker said that various open-source packages
violate patents it holds in areas related to graphical user interface, email
programs and other technology.
"The real question is not whether there exist substantial patent
infringement issues, but what to do about them," Microsoft vice president of
intellectual property and licensing Horacio Gutierrez said in a statement.

Microsoft sent the statement to reporters via email, detailing a stance that
it disclosed in an article that appeared in Fortune Magazine.

Linux is the most popular type of open-source software, or computer programs
that developers can download and modify as long as they share those changes
with the public. The packages, which are often available for free, have
gained in popularity over the past decade, taking market share away from
Microsoft.

ADVERTISEMENT







While dozens of versions of the Linux operating system are available for
free download, Red Hat and Novell develop and sell versions of Linux used to
run servers and mainframe computers in corporate data centres.

Last year, Microsoft signed a marketing, technology and patent agreement
with Novell, saying it wanted to enter into similar pacts with other
open-source software companies.

That agreement, which includes a clause that Microsoft will not sue Novell's
Linux customers, incensed the community of open-source software developers,
because they said Microsoft would use it to back claims that its intellectual
property is being violated by code in Linux and other open source software.

Eben Moglen, founding director of the Software Freedom Law Centre, called on
Microsoft to disclose the patent numbers of the 235 patents it believes are
being infringed upon so that the free software community can evaluate its
claims.

"They should name their patents," Mr Moglen said. "They should put up or
shut up."

The Software Freedom Law Centre is a non-profit legal services organisation
that provides free legal aid to developers of open-source software.

Red Hat officials couldn't be reached for comment.

Novell chief executive and president Ronald Hovsepian said Linux did not
infringe on any patents. He told the Reuters Global Technology, Media and
Telecoms Summit in New York on Tuesday that the deal with Microsoft was
focused on not suing each other's customers.

Novell had not endorsed Microsoft's patent claims, he said. "We just both
agreed to disagree," he said.

In its statement on the issue, Microsoft played up its partnership with
Novell, saying that customers worried about intellectual property claims
should buy their Linux software from Novell.

Reuters

Mick wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> Microsoft's licence threat to Linux
> Daisuke Wakabayashi and Jim Finkle
> MAY 16, 2007
>
> MICROSOFT has made its biggest challenge against open-source software,
> including Windows rival Linux, claiming that such programs violate 235
> Microsoft patents and saying it will seek licence fees.[/color]


Good idea! Make the freeloading bastards pay!


"They should name their patents," Mr Moglen said. "They should put up or
shut up."


I'm sure they will. The courts will then sort out who's right and who's
wrong.

Frank

So are you the newly appointed news poster?

When I want to read news about MicroSquish, I go to selected web sites and
read it.

YAWN




"Mick" <Mick@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3B690B49-624B-4752-8462-66B362CC2186@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
>
> Microsoft's licence threat to Linux
> Daisuke Wakabayashi and Jim Finkle
> MAY 16, 2007
>
> MICROSOFT has made its biggest challenge against open-source software,
> including Windows rival Linux, claiming that such programs violate 235
> Microsoft patents and saying it will seek licence fees.
>
> The world's largest software maker said that various open-source packages
> violate patents it holds in areas related to graphical user interface,
> email
> programs and other technology.
> "The real question is not whether there exist substantial patent
> infringement issues, but what to do about them," Microsoft vice president
> of
> intellectual property and licensing Horacio Gutierrez said in a statement.
>
> Microsoft sent the statement to reporters via email, detailing a stance
> that
> it disclosed in an article that appeared in Fortune Magazine.
>
> Linux is the most popular type of open-source software, or computer
> programs
> that developers can download and modify as long as they share those
> changes
> with the public. The packages, which are often available for free, have
> gained in popularity over the past decade, taking market share away from
> Microsoft.
>
> ADVERTISEMENT
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> While dozens of versions of the Linux operating system are available for
> free download, Red Hat and Novell develop and sell versions of Linux used
> to
> run servers and mainframe computers in corporate data centres.
>
> Last year, Microsoft signed a marketing, technology and patent agreement
> with Novell, saying it wanted to enter into similar pacts with other
> open-source software companies.
>
> That agreement, which includes a clause that Microsoft will not sue
> Novell's
> Linux customers, incensed the community of open-source software
> developers,
> because they said Microsoft would use it to back claims that its
> intellectual
> property is being violated by code in Linux and other open source
> software.
>
> Eben Moglen, founding director of the Software Freedom Law Centre, called
> on
> Microsoft to disclose the patent numbers of the 235 patents it believes
> are
> being infringed upon so that the free software community can evaluate its
> claims.
>
> "They should name their patents," Mr Moglen said. "They should put up or
> shut up."
>
> The Software Freedom Law Centre is a non-profit legal services
> organisation
> that provides free legal aid to developers of open-source software.
>
> Red Hat officials couldn't be reached for comment.
>
> Novell chief executive and president Ronald Hovsepian said Linux did not
> infringe on any patents. He told the Reuters Global Technology, Media and
> Telecoms Summit in New York on Tuesday that the deal with Microsoft was
> focused on not suing each other's customers.
>
> Novell had not endorsed Microsoft's patent claims, he said. "We just both
> agreed to disagree," he said.
>
> In its statement on the issue, Microsoft played up its partnership with
> Novell, saying that customers worried about intellectual property claims
> should buy their Linux software from Novell.
>
> Reuters
>
>
>
>[/color]

On Wed, 16 May 2007 14:33:38 -0700, Frank <fb@nospamm.cmm> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Mick wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>> Microsoft's licence threat to Linux
>> Daisuke Wakabayashi and Jim Finkle
>> MAY 16, 2007
>>
>> MICROSOFT has made its biggest challenge against open-source software,
>> including Windows rival Linux, claiming that such programs violate 235
>> Microsoft patents and saying it will seek licence fees.[/color]
>
>
>Good idea! Make the freeloading bastards pay!
>
>
>"They should name their patents," Mr Moglen said. "They should put up or
>shut up."
>
>
>I'm sure they will. The courts will then sort out who's right and who's
>wrong.[/color]

So funny coming from Microsoft who GUI for Windows is based on Apple
and they copied Lotus 1-2-3 and made it Excel, then copied Word
Perfect and made it Word. There there was their browser who was copied
from Netscape.

Microsoft doesn't know how to create ORIGINAL software. They just copy
somebody else's ideas or buy them out.

And OpenOffice stole from Microsoft Office? Give it a break... its called
business. And they're dealing in patents. A word processor is a word
processor... But if it has some special feature, then you can patent that
feature. The only reason why linux doesn't go around firing its guns is
because I dont think they could afford a lawyer.

And do you think software is the only industry that does this? Software is
all you hear about because the internet is about software. The company I
work for developed a agriculture plow that infringed a patent from another
company... Do you think they let it go? Why should they? They developed if
first. But a plow is a plow, a feature on the plow was in dispute...

Think about it... Not that it matters, no body will listen and the linux
people will continue to complain.

MS spends millions, if not billions, on idea generation (ribbon bar in
Office2007 as an example of one of these). And watch, everyone will start
doing it because it was so successful.

Lets all remember what a business is, an organisation who's goal is to give
a return on investements back to its owners/shareholders. People don't work
for free.

Back on topic tho, microsoft needs some money to pay off that 1.6bil mp3
patent case dont they?


"Adam Albright" <AA@ABC.net> wrote in message
news:k80n43dvosn8dm6n01k2g81ae79tuci0u2@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Wed, 16 May 2007 14:33:38 -0700, Frank <fb@nospamm.cmm> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>Mick wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> Microsoft's licence threat to Linux
>>> Daisuke Wakabayashi and Jim Finkle
>>> MAY 16, 2007
>>>
>>> MICROSOFT has made its biggest challenge against open-source software,
>>> including Windows rival Linux, claiming that such programs violate 235
>>> Microsoft patents and saying it will seek licence fees.[/color]
>>
>>
>>Good idea! Make the freeloading bastards pay!
>>
>>
>>"They should name their patents," Mr Moglen said. "They should put up or
>>shut up."
>>
>>
>>I'm sure they will. The courts will then sort out who's right and who's
>>wrong.[/color]
>
> So funny coming from Microsoft who GUI for Windows is based on Apple
> and they copied Lotus 1-2-3 and made it Excel, then copied Word
> Perfect and made it Word. There there was their browser who was copied
> from Netscape.
>
> Microsoft doesn't know how to create ORIGINAL software. They just copy
> somebody else's ideas or buy them out.
>
>[/color]

Do you have a problem with your Vista install we can help you with?

No, you don't use Vista.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

"Mick" <Mick@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3B690B49-624B-4752-8462-66B362CC2186@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
>
> Microsoft's licence threat to Linux
> Daisuke Wakabayashi and Jim Finkle
> MAY 16, 2007
>
> MICROSOFT has made its biggest challenge against open-source software,
> including Windows rival Linux, claiming that such programs violate 235
> Microsoft patents and saying it will seek licence fees.
>
> The world's largest software maker said that various open-source packages
> violate patents it holds in areas related to graphical user interface,
> email
> programs and other technology.
> "The real question is not whether there exist substantial patent
> infringement issues, but what to do about them," Microsoft vice president
> of
> intellectual property and licensing Horacio Gutierrez said in a statement.
>
> Microsoft sent the statement to reporters via email, detailing a stance
> that
> it disclosed in an article that appeared in Fortune Magazine.
>
> Linux is the most popular type of open-source software, or computer
> programs
> that developers can download and modify as long as they share those
> changes
> with the public. The packages, which are often available for free, have
> gained in popularity over the past decade, taking market share away from
> Microsoft.
>
> ADVERTISEMENT
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> While dozens of versions of the Linux operating system are available for
> free download, Red Hat and Novell develop and sell versions of Linux used
> to
> run servers and mainframe computers in corporate data centres.
>
> Last year, Microsoft signed a marketing, technology and patent agreement
> with Novell, saying it wanted to enter into similar pacts with other
> open-source software companies.
>
> That agreement, which includes a clause that Microsoft will not sue
> Novell's
> Linux customers, incensed the community of open-source software
> developers,
> because they said Microsoft would use it to back claims that its
> intellectual
> property is being violated by code in Linux and other open source
> software.
>
> Eben Moglen, founding director of the Software Freedom Law Centre, called
> on
> Microsoft to disclose the patent numbers of the 235 patents it believes
> are
> being infringed upon so that the free software community can evaluate its
> claims.
>
> "They should name their patents," Mr Moglen said. "They should put up or
> shut up."
>
> The Software Freedom Law Centre is a non-profit legal services
> organisation
> that provides free legal aid to developers of open-source software.
>
> Red Hat officials couldn't be reached for comment.
>
> Novell chief executive and president Ronald Hovsepian said Linux did not
> infringe on any patents. He told the Reuters Global Technology, Media and
> Telecoms Summit in New York on Tuesday that the deal with Microsoft was
> focused on not suing each other's customers.
>
> Novell had not endorsed Microsoft's patent claims, he said. "We just both
> agreed to disagree," he said.
>
> In its statement on the issue, Microsoft played up its partnership with
> Novell, saying that customers worried about intellectual property claims
> should buy their Linux software from Novell.
>
> Reuters
>
>
>
>[/color]

> When I want to read news about MicroSquish, I go to selected web sites and[color=blue]
> read it.[/color]


That is whay they call it selective morality.
Cherry pick your indignation.


Rich

Urban, you are just a clown! I run XP and vista on seperate machines,
networked. AND I have a business building and repairing computers which are
installed with Microsoft products.
Just because someone is critical of a product or a business approach, you
piss yourself.
Get off your high horse, and live in the real world; instead of living in
Bill's shadow, and living of the crumbs from his Apple peelings

"Richard Urban" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Do you have a problem with your Vista install we can help you with?
>
> No, you don't use Vista.
>
> --
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Richard Urban
> Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
> (For email, remove the obvious from my address)
>
> Quote from George Ankner:
> If you knew as much as you think you know,
> You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!
>
> "Mick" <Mick@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:3B690B49-624B-4752-8462-66B362CC2186@microsoft.com...[color=green]
> >
> > Microsoft's licence threat to Linux
> > Daisuke Wakabayashi and Jim Finkle
> > MAY 16, 2007
> >
> > MICROSOFT has made its biggest challenge against open-source software,
> > including Windows rival Linux, claiming that such programs violate 235
> > Microsoft patents and saying it will seek licence fees.
> >
> > The world's largest software maker said that various open-source packages
> > violate patents it holds in areas related to graphical user interface,
> > email
> > programs and other technology.
> > "The real question is not whether there exist substantial patent
> > infringement issues, but what to do about them," Microsoft vice president
> > of
> > intellectual property and licensing Horacio Gutierrez said in a statement.
> >
> > Microsoft sent the statement to reporters via email, detailing a stance
> > that
> > it disclosed in an article that appeared in Fortune Magazine.
> >
> > Linux is the most popular type of open-source software, or computer
> > programs
> > that developers can download and modify as long as they share those
> > changes
> > with the public. The packages, which are often available for free, have
> > gained in popularity over the past decade, taking market share away from
> > Microsoft.
> >
> > ADVERTISEMENT
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > While dozens of versions of the Linux operating system are available for
> > free download, Red Hat and Novell develop and sell versions of Linux used
> > to
> > run servers and mainframe computers in corporate data centres.
> >
> > Last year, Microsoft signed a marketing, technology and patent agreement
> > with Novell, saying it wanted to enter into similar pacts with other
> > open-source software companies.
> >
> > That agreement, which includes a clause that Microsoft will not sue
> > Novell's
> > Linux customers, incensed the community of open-source software
> > developers,
> > because they said Microsoft would use it to back claims that its
> > intellectual
> > property is being violated by code in Linux and other open source
> > software.
> >
> > Eben Moglen, founding director of the Software Freedom Law Centre, called
> > on
> > Microsoft to disclose the patent numbers of the 235 patents it believes
> > are
> > being infringed upon so that the free software community can evaluate its
> > claims.
> >
> > "They should name their patents," Mr Moglen said. "They should put up or
> > shut up."
> >
> > The Software Freedom Law Centre is a non-profit legal services
> > organisation
> > that provides free legal aid to developers of open-source software.
> >
> > Red Hat officials couldn't be reached for comment.
> >
> > Novell chief executive and president Ronald Hovsepian said Linux did not
> > infringe on any patents. He told the Reuters Global Technology, Media and
> > Telecoms Summit in New York on Tuesday that the deal with Microsoft was
> > focused on not suing each other's customers.
> >
> > Novell had not endorsed Microsoft's patent claims, he said. "We just both
> > agreed to disagree," he said.
> >
> > In its statement on the issue, Microsoft played up its partnership with
> > Novell, saying that customers worried about intellectual property claims
> > should buy their Linux software from Novell.
> >
> > Reuters
> >
> >
> >
> >[/color]
>
>[/color]

"Adam Albright" <AA@ABC.net> wrote in message
news:k80n43dvosn8dm6n01k2g81ae79tuci0u2@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Wed, 16 May 2007 14:33:38 -0700, Frank <fb@nospamm.cmm> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>Mick wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> Microsoft's licence threat to Linux
>>> Daisuke Wakabayashi and Jim Finkle
>>> MAY 16, 2007
>>>
>>> MICROSOFT has made its biggest challenge against open-source software,
>>> including Windows rival Linux, claiming that such programs violate 235
>>> Microsoft patents and saying it will seek licence fees.[/color]
>>
>>
>>Good idea! Make the freeloading bastards pay!
>>
>>
>>"They should name their patents," Mr Moglen said. "They should put up or
>>shut up."
>>
>>
>>I'm sure they will. The courts will then sort out who's right and who's
>>wrong.[/color]
>
> So funny coming from Microsoft who GUI for Windows is based on Apple
> and they copied Lotus 1-2-3 and made it Excel, then copied Word
> Perfect and made it Word. There there was their browser who was copied
> from Netscape.
>
> Microsoft doesn't know how to create ORIGINAL software. They just copy
> somebody else's ideas or buy them out.
>
>[/color]


Apple's GUI was "borrowed" from Xerox. Everyone knows that. So?

Lang

Where are you now, big mouth?
Or did they start making you take your medication again, you naught boy!
You will get better, and they will let you out one day! MAYBE!

"Richard Urban" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Do you have a problem with your Vista install we can help you with?
>
> No, you don't use Vista.
>
> --
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Richard Urban
> Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
> (For email, remove the obvious from my address)
>
> Quote from George Ankner:
> If you knew as much as you think you know,
> You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!
>
> "Mick" <Mick@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:3B690B49-624B-4752-8462-66B362CC2186@microsoft.com...[color=green]
> >
> > Microsoft's licence threat to Linux
> > Daisuke Wakabayashi and Jim Finkle
> > MAY 16, 2007
> >
> > MICROSOFT has made its biggest challenge against open-source software,
> > including Windows rival Linux, claiming that such programs violate 235
> > Microsoft patents and saying it will seek licence fees.
> >
> > The world's largest software maker said that various open-source packages
> > violate patents it holds in areas related to graphical user interface,
> > email
> > programs and other technology.
> > "The real question is not whether there exist substantial patent
> > infringement issues, but what to do about them," Microsoft vice president
> > of
> > intellectual property and licensing Horacio Gutierrez said in a statement.
> >
> > Microsoft sent the statement to reporters via email, detailing a stance
> > that
> > it disclosed in an article that appeared in Fortune Magazine.
> >
> > Linux is the most popular type of open-source software, or computer
> > programs
> > that developers can download and modify as long as they share those
> > changes
> > with the public. The packages, which are often available for free, have
> > gained in popularity over the past decade, taking market share away from
> > Microsoft.
> >
> > ADVERTISEMENT
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > While dozens of versions of the Linux operating system are available for
> > free download, Red Hat and Novell develop and sell versions of Linux used
> > to
> > run servers and mainframe computers in corporate data centres.
> >
> > Last year, Microsoft signed a marketing, technology and patent agreement
> > with Novell, saying it wanted to enter into similar pacts with other
> > open-source software companies.
> >
> > That agreement, which includes a clause that Microsoft will not sue
> > Novell's
> > Linux customers, incensed the community of open-source software
> > developers,
> > because they said Microsoft would use it to back claims that its
> > intellectual
> > property is being violated by code in Linux and other open source
> > software.
> >
> > Eben Moglen, founding director of the Software Freedom Law Centre, called
> > on
> > Microsoft to disclose the patent numbers of the 235 patents it believes
> > are
> > being infringed upon so that the free software community can evaluate its
> > claims.
> >
> > "They should name their patents," Mr Moglen said. "They should put up or
> > shut up."
> >
> > The Software Freedom Law Centre is a non-profit legal services
> > organisation
> > that provides free legal aid to developers of open-source software.
> >
> > Red Hat officials couldn't be reached for comment.
> >
> > Novell chief executive and president Ronald Hovsepian said Linux did not
> > infringe on any patents. He told the Reuters Global Technology, Media and
> > Telecoms Summit in New York on Tuesday that the deal with Microsoft was
> > focused on not suing each other's customers.
> >
> > Novell had not endorsed Microsoft's patent claims, he said. "We just both
> > agreed to disagree," he said.
> >
> > In its statement on the issue, Microsoft played up its partnership with
> > Novell, saying that customers worried about intellectual property claims
> > should buy their Linux software from Novell.
> >
> > Reuters
> >
> >
> >
> >[/color]
>
>[/color]

"Lang Murphy" <lang_murphy********.com> wrote in message
news:DCD43146-5585-4669-86C1-48EBD138FBAF@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> "Adam Albright" <AA@ABC.net> wrote in message
> news:k80n43dvosn8dm6n01k2g81ae79tuci0u2@4ax.com...[color=green]
>> On Wed, 16 May 2007 14:33:38 -0700, Frank <fb@nospamm.cmm> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>Mick wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Microsoft's licence threat to Linux
>>>> Daisuke Wakabayashi and Jim Finkle
>>>> MAY 16, 2007
>>>>
>>>> MICROSOFT has made its biggest challenge against open-source software,
>>>> including Windows rival Linux, claiming that such programs violate 235
>>>> Microsoft patents and saying it will seek licence fees.
>>>
>>>
>>>Good idea! Make the freeloading bastards pay!
>>>
>>>
>>>"They should name their patents," Mr Moglen said. "They should put up or
>>>shut up."
>>>
>>>
>>>I'm sure they will. The courts will then sort out who's right and who's
>>>wrong.[/color]
>>
>> So funny coming from Microsoft who GUI for Windows is based on Apple
>> and they copied Lotus 1-2-3 and made it Excel, then copied Word
>> Perfect and made it Word. There there was their browser who was copied
>> from Netscape.
>>
>> Microsoft doesn't know how to create ORIGINAL software. They just copy
>> somebody else's ideas or buy them out.
>>
>>[/color]
>
>
> Apple's GUI was "borrowed" from Xerox. Everyone knows that. So?[/color]

Yes, the idea that there is anything new or original extremely naive.
There is nothing new under the sun. Everything is built upon the past.

I wonder whether Adam is a sickening hypocrite or his computer really
has a case, motherboard, drives, cpu, memory, key board, mouse, screen etc.
manufactured by the same company?

I suppose such creatures as Adam really believe that Apple
don't buy in components. What a wally!

> Microsoft doesn't know how to create ORIGINAL software. They just copy[color=blue]
> somebody else's ideas or buy them out.[/color]

Which is how Apple got the idea for the Mac's GUI from Xerox PARC


Amazing isn't it?


Hang onto that meme tight, take it to bed at night, it'll keep you safe to
live yet another day when you wake up wound so tight in the hopes that you
can step out to fight the good fight.

> And OpenOffice stole from Microsoft Office? Give it a break... its called

Julie,

If he gave it a break, what would be left?

The Apple OS, Linux?

This stuff, his stuff, stuff that never rests is ... well the stuff of life
to an OSist.
Like those Macy's Thanksgiving day parade balloons, BIGGER than life for a
moment but once the hot air is let out, what's left? just a 2 dimensional
sad face trying to make everyone else feel as crummy as he does about his OS
:)

Kinda makes you smile doesn't it?


But no harm in placing your opinion along side his, you never know ...


Rich

You're grounded Mick


One month


Rich

"Rich" <r.green@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:%23mSvMXSmHHA.3760@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...[color=blue][color=green]
>> Microsoft doesn't know how to create ORIGINAL software. They just copy
>> somebody else's ideas or buy them out.[/color]
>
> Which is how Apple got the idea for the Mac's GUI from Xerox PARC
>
>
> Amazing isn't it?
>[/color]

Do Apple make processors, storage, LCD panels etc?