Suing Linux on FAT32 and more patents (updated)
Is this the first time that Microsoft enforces its patents against Linux? Anyway, call me a hardcore communist or an anarchist, but I take it one of the best proofs that no patent should ever be granted, to no one, no matter it’s about software or a machinery. Patents of any kind are harmful to the progress of humankind, regardless of the “official” contrary opinion!
Anyway, in the news:
- Microsoft sues GPS maker TomTom: “A Microsoft spokeswoman told The Reg that there are a total of eight allegedly infringed patents in the case. Five of the patents relate to car-navigation technology, while three cover technology that makes file management more efficient. [...] The file-management IP relates to two of Microsoft’s FAT Long File Name (LFN) patents that help with naming, organizing, storing, and accessing file data. Another patent fingered by Microsoft lets systems work better with flash memory.”
- The list of patents, on LWN: Microsoft sues TomTom
- Microsoft sues TomTom for patent infringement
- Microsoft suit over FAT patents could open OSS Pandora’s Box, with reactions on OSNews
- Microsoft sues TomTom over navigation patents
- New Microsoft Patent-Infringement Lawsuit Includes Linux
- Slashdot: Has Microsoft’s Patent War Against Linux Begun?
In non-related news, Google asks to join EU case against Microsoft. Google, which is as monopolist as Microsoft, except that it doesn’t ask me money? Google, who has an agreement with Mozilla to pay them each time I use their search engine from Firefox? “Google believes that the browser market is still largely uncompetitive, which holds back innovation for users” — how about the search engine market then?
Fuck the monopolies. And, let’s restate it: fuck all the patents!
UPDATE: TomTom To Contest Microsoft Patent Lawsuit.
RE-UPDATE:
- Jim Zemlin: Note on Microsoft TomTom Suit: Calm Down, Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst
- Clubbing the Tom-Tom
- Slashdot again: Analyzing Microsoft’s Linux Lawsuit
Feb 27, 2009 at 13:32
Google has never actively tried to kill another search engine. Heavily marketed itself. None of its contracts with Firefox and the like require executivity.
Ok its just extremely hard to catch up to where google is. Google could have acquired yahoo a few times and had a full blown monopoly.
Basically Google does not abuse there monopoly powers. Out competing Google is not going to be a simple job.
Feb 28, 2009 at 12:07
As far as now,
Google had not such a monopolistic behavior as W$…a century ago.
This is not a reason to trust them , to day, for a long time future (else, it would be like falling from a 100 m high tower , messeems -never tried-, and, at the 50th meter, say ‘falling seems so sweet and comfortable’)…..
Mar 3, 2009 at 16:34
http://www.lemonde.fr/opinions/article/2009/03/03/google-vorace_1162582_3232.html
Newspapers *begin* to complain that google is taking all the advertising money (and, if there is a crisis, this money will get rare) , while they do all the job of collecting information (google freely broadcasts, without checking it).
I had written "as far as now", but now can last a very short time…..