On Thu, 9 Apr 2009 23:18:31 -0400, "Mike Hall - MVP"
<mikehall@mvps.org> wrote:
[color=blue]
>We are not party to how the patent was infringed, that is to say that there
>was no reference to MS knowingly using Uniloc's code. There are, however,
>two things which we do know.
>
>1. The jurors do not like Microsoft[/color]

How do you know that? Did you see interviews with them in which they
expressed bias? If so, have you informed MS's attorneys? I'm sure
they'd be interested.

In any jury trial, the lawyers have plenty of opportunities to
challenges jurors before the jury is seated. Beyond that, the
assumption would be that the jury came to a decision based on the
evidence presented.

On Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:16:54 -0400, "Mike Hall - MVP"
<mikehall@mvps.org> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Gene
>
>That is what I was thinking exactly. There can't be too many ways to make a
>system that prevents piracy..[/color]

In order to get a patent, you have to show that your idea is unique
and different than what is already on file. While it's possible MS
accidentally did something that was already in a patent, it would be a
reasonable assumption that a company with that many lawyers on
retainer and that many infringement suits in both directions has a
legal staff review development plans ahead of time.

So, even if they came up with the idea without knowledge that another
patent existed, they most likely uncovered it and decided that their
implementation was different enough not to be infringement - or that
the benefits of using the technology outweighed the possible lawsuit.
I'd go for the latter. MS has a reputation for running roughshod over
other companies and their patents, then trying to bully them into
submission through legal maneuvers. Nothing new here.

"Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall@mvps.org> wrote in
news:OQNwvMZuJHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl:
[color=blue][color=green]
>> Which pretty much agrees with what you said, Mike.
>>
>> Still - they could have done it knowingly, n'est-ce pas?
>>
>> I also wonder if it will be appealed further by MS...
>>
>> Maybe we could also start a long OT subthread about the iniquities
>> and inequities of out patent system and other IP systems. (I hope
>> not, and I promise not to post further if it happens!)
>>
>> --
>> Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom[/color]
>
>
> Gene
>
> That is what I was thinking exactly. There can't be too many ways to
> make a system that prevents piracy..[/color]

(Not turning this into an IP discussion) you're right there can't be too
many ways.

Look at the Tivo lawsuit against Dish Network because of some s/w issue
related to how the Dish DVR works...........There really can't be too
many different ways to pause/rewind live TV. You write the picture/audio
data to the HD, and then play it back delayed by x amount of time.

You either secretly work for Microsoft cleaning toilets at Redmond and you
want to suck up go get a promotion to mop halls,
or you are one of the most idiotic people that have ever lived.

You are the later.

"FBonWin7RC1x64" <fb@guy.llo> wrote in message
news:49ded1df$1@news.x-privat.org...[color=blue]
> alias, the cock sucking fukking asshole loser wrote:[color=green]
>> [url]http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9131339[/url]
>> Now ain't that nice, MS gets fined for stealing WPA. The irony! MS gets
>> conviction of stealing the program they use to make sure no one steals
>> from them!
>>
>> Alias[/color]
>
> Maybe they'll get your lying, cheating, thieving ass for trying to steal
> MS products.
> Or maybe the authorities in spain will get you for selling free software
> to unknowing little old lades.
> You're a cock sucking son of cheap whore and a real fukkin loser.[/color]

"The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly Known as Nina DiBoy'"
<me211@privacy.net> wrote in message news:grm84p$tgk$1@aioe.org...[color=blue]
> Alias wrote:[color=green]
>> [url]http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9131339[/url]
>> Now ain't that nice, MS gets fined for stealing WPA. The irony! MS gets
>> conviction of stealing the program they use to make sure no one steals
>> from them!
>>
>> Alias[/color]
>
> Oh, that is priceless! Thanks for sharing. :)
>
> --
> "Software is like sex, it's better when it's free."
> - Linus Torvalds
>
> DRM and unintended consequences:
> [url]http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/security/?p=435&tag=nl.e101[/url][/color]

Microsoft is like government, it is OK for them to steal and they hate
competition.

Linus has it right.

"Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:ub2g8NZuJHA.1212@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> "norm" <noone@nowhere.net> wrote in message
> news:eeHnYwYuJHA.4648@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...[color=green]
>> Mike Hall - MVP wrote:[color=darkred]
>>> "norm" <noone@nowhere.net> wrote in message
>>> news:u8mu7cYuJHA.4488@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>> Mike Hall - MVP wrote:
>>>>> "The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly Known as Nina
>>>>> DiBoy'" <me211@privacy.net> wrote in message
>>>>> news:grm84p$tgk$1@aioe.org...
>>>>>> Alias wrote:
>>>>>>> [url]http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9131339[/url]
>>>>>>> Now ain't that nice, MS gets fined for stealing WPA. The irony! MS
>>>>>>> gets conviction of stealing the program they use to make sure no one
>>>>>>> steals from them!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Alias
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Oh, that is priceless! Thanks for sharing. :)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> "Software is like sex, it's better when it's free."
>>>>>> - Linus Torvalds
>>>>>>
>>>>>> DRM and unintended consequences:
>>>>>> [url]http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/security/?p=435&tag=nl.e101[/url]
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Its states an infringement of a patent, not theft directly. Either
>>>>> way, it has cost MS dear..
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> Maybe I misunderstand, but if infringing on a patent is not theft, then
>>>> how is not adhering to a eula theft? How many times have people in this
>>>> ng been called thieves because they are outside of the parameters of a
>>>> eula?
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> norm
>>>
>>>
>>> We are not party to how the patent was infringed, that is to say that
>>> there was no reference to MS knowingly using Uniloc's code. There are,
>>> however, two things which we do know.
>>>
>>> 1. The jurors do not like Microsoft
>>> 2. The directors of Uniloc will be able to pay themselves a nice bonus
>>> should they feel the need.. :-)
>>>
>>>[/color]
>> But why is one issue not considered "theft" and the other is? It is not a
>> question of who likes whom or of bonuses. Is not being in compliance with
>> a eula theft or not?
>>
>> --
>> norm[/color]
>
>
> Norm
>
> You are assuming that Microsoft looked at anything Uniloc, and thought 'to
> hell with it, we will do what we like'
>
> There may be some substance in the above, but we do not know for sure, so
> it is wrong to make the assumption that MS deliberately set out to 'steal'
> the idea..[/color]

Did Balmer overtly say steal the code? Probably not.

Did the culture of coding routinely overlook plagerism for profit and
advancement, you bet your curliers they did.

Pretty obvious you have never worked in a large code shop/project if you
cannot acknowledge this fact of reality.

The permission was implied by culture. I wouldn't even doubt the people who
checked in the designs and code are still working for them, probably even
promoted! And are other projects they worked on being inspected for other
issues, no sir.... management wants this under the rug.

1/2, if not more of the "guru" types, if they can't steal code they steal
ideas. Very few developers actually write good code and ideas all by
themselves.

"Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:OQNwvMZuJHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> "Gene E. Bloch" <not-me@other.invalid> wrote in message
> news:eac7zobpyj1a$.vr182c7ugh32$.dlg@40tude.net...[color=green]
>> On Thu, 9 Apr 2009 23:18:31 -0400, Mike Hall - MVP wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>> "norm" <noone@nowhere.net> wrote in message
>>> news:u8mu7cYuJHA.4488@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>> Mike Hall - MVP wrote:
>>>>> "The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly Known as Nina
>>>>> DiBoy'"
>>>>> <me211@privacy.net> wrote in message news:grm84p$tgk$1@aioe.org...
>>>>>> Alias wrote:
>>>>>>> [url]http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9131339[/url]
>>>>>>> Now ain't that nice, MS gets fined for stealing WPA. The irony! MS
>>>>>>> gets
>>>>>>> conviction of stealing the program they use to make sure no one
>>>>>>> steals
>>>>>>> from them!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Alias
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Oh, that is priceless! Thanks for sharing. :)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> "Software is like sex, it's better when it's free."
>>>>>> - Linus Torvalds
>>>>>>
>>>>>> DRM and unintended consequences:
>>>>>> [url]http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/security/?p=435&tag=nl.e101[/url]
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Its states an infringement of a patent, not theft directly. Either
>>>>> way,
>>>>> it has cost MS dear..
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> Maybe I misunderstand, but if infringing on a patent is not theft, then
>>>> how is not adhering to a eula theft? How many times have people in this
>>>> ng
>>>> been called thieves because they are outside of the parameters of a
>>>> eula?
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> norm
>>>
>>>
>>> We are not party to how the patent was infringed, that is to say that
>>> there
>>> was no reference to MS knowingly using Uniloc's code. There are,
>>> however,
>>> two things which we do know.
>>>
>>> 1. The jurors do not like Microsoft
>>> 2. The directors of Uniloc will be able to pay themselves a nice bonus
>>> should they feel the need.. :-)[/color]
>>
>> My first thought on looking at the article was that Microsoft might have
>> independently hit on the same theft-prevention technique. I have done a
>> similar thing, when what I "invented" was (a) pretty obvious, and (b)
>> covered by a patent. In my case, my boss knew about the patent and
>> stopped
>> me...
>>
>> Which pretty much agrees with what you said, Mike.
>>
>> Still - they could have done it knowingly, n'est-ce pas?
>>
>> I also wonder if it will be appealed further by MS...
>>
>> Maybe we could also start a long OT subthread about the iniquities and
>> inequities of out patent system and other IP systems. (I hope not, and I
>> promise not to post further if it happens!)
>>
>> --
>> Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom[/color]
>
>
> Gene
>
> That is what I was thinking exactly. There can't be too many ways to make
> a system that prevents piracy..[/color]

There isn't. But open source such as Linux goes a long way.

Bet Microsoft will not even consider to open it's source, we would find more
open source in Microsoft and no Microsoft source in Linux unless it was
planted. Yes, that happened once too, planted code, Microsoft lost.

"DanS" <t.h.i.s.n.t.h.a.t@r.o.a.d.r.u.n.n.e.r.c.o.m> wrote in message
news:Xns9BE947E011AE5thisnthatroadrunnern@85.214.105.209...[color=blue]
> "Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall@mvps.org> wrote in
> news:OQNwvMZuJHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl:
>[color=green][color=darkred]
>>> Which pretty much agrees with what you said, Mike.
>>>
>>> Still - they could have done it knowingly, n'est-ce pas?
>>>
>>> I also wonder if it will be appealed further by MS...
>>>
>>> Maybe we could also start a long OT subthread about the iniquities
>>> and inequities of out patent system and other IP systems. (I hope
>>> not, and I promise not to post further if it happens!)
>>>
>>> --
>>> Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom[/color]
>>
>>
>> Gene
>>
>> That is what I was thinking exactly. There can't be too many ways to
>> make a system that prevents piracy..[/color]
>
> (Not turning this into an IP discussion) you're right there can't be too
> many ways.
>
> Look at the Tivo lawsuit against Dish Network because of some s/w issue
> related to how the Dish DVR works...........There really can't be too
> many different ways to pause/rewind live TV. You write the picture/audio
> data to the HD, and then play it back delayed by x amount of time.[/color]

But it is also why open standards are best. I don't buy proprietary, and
wish more would do the same.

There should be no reason other than vendor locking and $$$ greed that a
user cannot copy a movie frrom Tivo to Microsoft to Apple to Linux and it
plays.

"Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:#7isQtYuJHA.3816@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> "webster72n" <webster72n******.com> wrote in message
> news:elm0zaYuJHA.4364@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...[color=green]
>>
>>
>> "Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall@mvps.org> wrote in message
>> news:udEgzLYuJHA.2376@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...[color=darkred]
>>> "The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly Known as Nina DiBoy'"
>>> <me211@privacy.net> wrote in message news:grm84p$tgk$1@aioe.org...
>>>> Alias wrote:
>>>>> [url]http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9131339[/url]
>>>>> Now ain't that nice, MS gets fined for stealing WPA. The irony! MS
>>>>> gets conviction of stealing the program they use to make sure no one
>>>>> steals from them!
>>>>>
>>>>> Alias
>>>>
>>>> Oh, that is priceless! Thanks for sharing. :)
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> "Software is like sex, it's better when it's free."
>>>> - Linus Torvalds
>>>>
>>>> DRM and unintended consequences:
>>>> [url]http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/security/?p=435&tag=nl.e101[/url]
>>>
>>>
>>> Its states an infringement of a patent, not theft directly. Either way,
>>> it has cost MS dear..[/color]
>>
>> Why in the world would MS do something like this?
>> They must have thought it was worth the price.
>> I took Bill Gates for smarter than that.
>>
>> <H>.
>>[color=darkred]
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
>>> [url]http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/[/url][/color]
>>[/color]
>
>
> We may never know that, but the assumption by most, right or wrong, will
> be that Microsoft knew what they were doing..[/color]

Exactly and that's also why I am quite disappointed. They are taking
advantage of their 'loyal' followers, which in my opinion is despicable.
<H>.
[color=blue]
>
>
> --
>
> Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
> [url]http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/[/url][/color]

"webster72n" <webster72n******.com> wrote in message
news:uIWMrnfuJHA.5684@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
>
>
> "Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall@mvps.org> wrote in message
> news:#7isQtYuJHA.3816@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...[color=green]
>> "webster72n" <webster72n******.com> wrote in message
>> news:elm0zaYuJHA.4364@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...[color=darkred]
>>>
>>>
>>> "Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall@mvps.org> wrote in message
>>> news:udEgzLYuJHA.2376@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>>> "The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly Known as Nina
>>>> DiBoy'" <me211@privacy.net> wrote in message
>>>> news:grm84p$tgk$1@aioe.org...
>>>>> Alias wrote:
>>>>>> [url]http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9131339[/url]
>>>>>> Now ain't that nice, MS gets fined for stealing WPA. The irony! MS
>>>>>> gets conviction of stealing the program they use to make sure no one
>>>>>> steals from them!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Alias
>>>>>
>>>>> Oh, that is priceless! Thanks for sharing. :)
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> "Software is like sex, it's better when it's free."
>>>>> - Linus Torvalds
>>>>>
>>>>> DRM and unintended consequences:
>>>>> [url]http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/security/?p=435&tag=nl.e101[/url]
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Its states an infringement of a patent, not theft directly. Either way,
>>>> it has cost MS dear..
>>>
>>> Why in the world would MS do something like this?
>>> They must have thought it was worth the price.
>>> I took Bill Gates for smarter than that.
>>>
>>> <H>.
>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>>
>>>> Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
>>>> [url]http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/[/url]
>>>[/color]
>>
>>
>> We may never know that, but the assumption by most, right or wrong, will
>> be that Microsoft knew what they were doing..[/color]
>
> Exactly and that's also why I am quite disappointed. They are taking
> advantage of their 'loyal' followers, which in my opinion is despicable.
> <H>.
>[color=green]
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
>> [url]http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/[/url][/color]
>[/color]


Microsoft always manages to get itself into high profile incidents, aided
and abetted by those who do not particularly like Microsoft. So we get to
hear about more or less everything they do, be it good or bad. Were we to
hear about all breaches by all companies, loyal followers like you would be
permanently disappointed by just about everything..


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
[url]http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/[/url]

Canuck57 wrote:[color=blue]
> "The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly Known as Nina DiBoy'"
> <me211@privacy.net> wrote in message news:grm84p$tgk$1@aioe.org...[color=green]
>> Alias wrote:[color=darkred]
>>> [url]http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9131339[/url]
>>> Now ain't that nice, MS gets fined for stealing WPA. The irony! MS gets
>>> conviction of stealing the program they use to make sure no one steals
>>> from them!
>>>
>>> Alias[/color]
>> Oh, that is priceless! Thanks for sharing. :)
>>
>> --
>> "Software is like sex, it's better when it's free."
>> - Linus Torvalds
>>
>> DRM and unintended consequences:
>> [url]http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/security/?p=435&tag=nl.e101[/url][/color]
>
> Microsoft is like government, it is OK for them to steal and they hate
> competition.[/color]

What you say is true, but I personally think they are worse than the gov't.
[color=blue]
>
> Linus has it right.
>
>[/color]

I concur! It's just nice to see them get caught at their own game!

--
"Software is like sex, it's better when it's free."
- Linus Torvalds

DRM and unintended consequences:
[url]http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/security/?p=435&tag=nl.e101[/url]

Canuck57 wrote:[color=blue]
> "DanS" <t.h.i.s.n.t.h.a.t@r.o.a.d.r.u.n.n.e.r.c.o.m> wrote in message
> news:Xns9BE947E011AE5thisnthatroadrunnern@85.214.105.209...[color=green]
>> "Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall@mvps.org> wrote in
>> news:OQNwvMZuJHA.1240@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>> Which pretty much agrees with what you said, Mike.
>>>>
>>>> Still - they could have done it knowingly, n'est-ce pas?
>>>>
>>>> I also wonder if it will be appealed further by MS...
>>>>
>>>> Maybe we could also start a long OT subthread about the iniquities
>>>> and inequities of out patent system and other IP systems. (I hope
>>>> not, and I promise not to post further if it happens!)
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Gene E. Bloch letters0x40blochg0x2Ecom
>>>
>>> Gene
>>>
>>> That is what I was thinking exactly. There can't be too many ways to
>>> make a system that prevents piracy..[/color]
>> (Not turning this into an IP discussion) you're right there can't be too
>> many ways.
>>
>> Look at the Tivo lawsuit against Dish Network because of some s/w issue
>> related to how the Dish DVR works...........There really can't be too
>> many different ways to pause/rewind live TV. You write the picture/audio
>> data to the HD, and then play it back delayed by x amount of time.[/color]
>
> But it is also why open standards are best. I don't buy proprietary, and
> wish more would do the same.
>
> There should be no reason other than vendor locking and $$$ greed that a
> user cannot copy a movie frrom Tivo to Microsoft to Apple to Linux and it
> plays.
>
>[/color]

We use MythTV, and it works great!

--
"Software is like sex, it's better when it's free."
- Linus Torvalds

DRM and unintended consequences:
[url]http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/security/?p=435&tag=nl.e101[/url]

"Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:#Sam$EguJHA.5516@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> "webster72n" <webster72n******.com> wrote in message
> news:uIWMrnfuJHA.5684@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...[color=green]
>>
>>
>> "Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall@mvps.org> wrote in message
>> news:#7isQtYuJHA.3816@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...[color=darkred]
>>> "webster72n" <webster72n******.com> wrote in message
>>> news:elm0zaYuJHA.4364@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall@mvps.org> wrote in message
>>>> news:udEgzLYuJHA.2376@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>>>> "The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly Known as Nina
>>>>> DiBoy'" <me211@privacy.net> wrote in message
>>>>> news:grm84p$tgk$1@aioe.org...
>>>>>> Alias wrote:
>>>>>>> [url]http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9131339[/url]
>>>>>>> Now ain't that nice, MS gets fined for stealing WPA. The irony! MS
>>>>>>> gets conviction of stealing the program they use to make sure no one
>>>>>>> steals from them!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Alias
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Oh, that is priceless! Thanks for sharing. :)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> "Software is like sex, it's better when it's free."
>>>>>> - Linus Torvalds
>>>>>>
>>>>>> DRM and unintended consequences:
>>>>>> [url]http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/security/?p=435&tag=nl.e101[/url]
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Its states an infringement of a patent, not theft directly. Either
>>>>> way, it has cost MS dear..
>>>>
>>>> Why in the world would MS do something like this?
>>>> They must have thought it was worth the price.
>>>> I took Bill Gates for smarter than that.
>>>>
>>>> <H>.
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>>
>>>>> Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
>>>>> [url]http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/[/url]
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> We may never know that, but the assumption by most, right or wrong, will
>>> be that Microsoft knew what they were doing..[/color]
>>
>> Exactly and that's also why I am quite disappointed. They are taking
>> advantage of their 'loyal' followers, which in my opinion is despicable.
>> <H>.
>>[color=darkred]
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
>>> [url]http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/[/url][/color]
>>[/color]
>
>
> Microsoft always manages to get itself into high profile incidents, aided
> and abetted by those who do not particularly like Microsoft. So we get to
> hear about more or less everything they do, be it good or bad. Were we to
> hear about all breaches by all companies, loyal followers like you would
> be permanently disappointed by just about everything..[/color]

I don't really consider myself a loyal follower, but rather like the
appearance of their systems, including the workings, even though I lately
prefer the use of FF over IE, for reasons unbeknown to me.
One just has to 'be careful out there'. <H>.
[color=blue]
>
>
> --
>
> Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
> [url]http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/[/url][/color]

"Canuck57" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
> Microsoft is about packaging other peoples ideas, code and
> concepts for monopolized profit.[/color]

Not really... Microsoft is about making money. Just depends on the
political climate as to how much they (and others) can get away
with. Microsoft has monopolized the desktop software market, but if
it were not for Microsoft it would be some other company.

On Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:24:46 -0400, "Mike Hall - MVP"
<mikehall@mvps.org> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Microsoft always manages to get itself into high profile incidents, aided
>and abetted by those who do not particularly like Microsoft. So we get to
>hear about more or less everything they do, be it good or bad. Were we to
>hear about all breaches by all companies, loyal followers like you would be
>permanently disappointed by just about everything..[/color]

Does MS get more coverage on these issues? Probably yes, but this is
one of the biggest patent awards ever, those always get coverage.

MS is clearly at fault here. This was not a casual accident:

"In the Uniloc case, the jurors found that Microsoft’s infringement
was willful, or intentional."

"Uniloc claimed Richardson showed his program to Microsoft in 1993
under a pledge that Microsoft wouldn’t try to break down the code to
duplicate it. Uniloc claimed that Microsoft did that and, in 1997 or
1998, began pilot programs with similar software."

Let's note that Windows 3.1 was released about that time. MS was a
child. They didn't even have simple unique program keys back then in
Windows. This was NOT on MS's radar at all.

Also, MS CLEARLY knew of the existence on this patent.

"A Microsoft lawyer told jurors that the company’s engineers evaluated
Richardson’s software before deciding it was of no use to them."

So, they admit clearly that they knew of the work. As is typical for
MS, they simply ran roughshod over the other company and stole the
technology, because they thought it would cost them too much to do the
right thing and license the software.

It would be nice if the Judge takes advantage of the law regarding
willful violations and triples the damages - although even $1b is not
that large a deterrent for MS.

Read the patent here if you like: [url]http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=16058[/url]