The second widely reported story we're mentioning on the blog today is the suggestions being made by Microsoft's chief lawyer that the Linux operating system infringes loads of Microsoft patents.
The Register's Chris Williams writes an entertainingly cynical report on the story, including mentioning that the US courts have quite recently ruled that certain software patents have, to quote Chris, "been granted too readily". This is a good point; many IP lawyers regard older US software patents as being of poor quality and potentially invalid. Whilst this may not be the case for the Microsoft patents - which Microsoft has not specified in its allegations - it is certainly something that Microsoft would need to consider before making any patent infringement claim.
The IPKat also comments on the story, pointing out the practical and strategic difficulties that Microsoft is likely to face if takes this further.
Comments