... the end is nigh! Microsoft's Linux patent licensing: now Casio signs up

[carey]

No that is English enough for me perhaps things that are suppose to be free may be restricted to certain set of individuals?

Hard for anything to be totally free. Still, if a technology should be "commoditized" and is classed as public domain then it should be available to whomever wants to use it.From their history, I am guessing M$ would be happy if poor people didn't have computers.

[khat17]

Recently a DVD store that has original discs for rent was shut down. They have a license that they got some time ago to do the business and when they were registering the business no additional paperwork was needed. What is the reason then? They were told they needed an international license - probably because the discs are not meant for us in JA.

JA falls in the Latin American region - though most persons here only speak English - and because of this world view we are forced to be subjected to what the world decides.

Hopefully Linux will not fall on this path, but knowing Micro***** - they will do what they can to kill competition. It's how they work. If they can't buy the company they try their best to bury it.

[duster]

Have you ever wondered why Microsoft doesn't want to let anyone know which patents are allegedly being breached?

This is still puzzling me.. Why not disclose what the infringements are.

[jamrock]

Currently Microsoft can use the threat of sanctions to get companies to sign. Is it really worth the potential liability to Casio? Isn't it just easier to sign? Just in case?

Once you publish the sanctions, you have to go to court to prove your position. It is easier to influence Casio than to go to court and prove your position. SCO Unix tried and failed.

The current situation suits Microsoft well. They can threaten legal action without having to prove they have a valid legal argument.

Secondly, if you publish the code and a patent has been violated, a team of programmers will simply re-write the code so that the patent is no longer violated.