Experts say Microsoft's patent quest won't go far

Microsoft's accusation that the open-source software industry has infringed 235 Microsoft patents has spotlighted a difficult issue: how aggressively should a company police itself for patent violations?

Microsoft said it released the tally--though not the 235 specific patents--in an effort to bring open-source companies to the table to hammer out intellectual property licensing deals similar to the one struck by Linux seller Novell in 2006. But industry experts said the declaration's implicit demand--that companies with open-source software should figure out what Microsoft patents they're infringing and come to the negotiating table--is unrealistic at ... Full Story »

Posted by Dale Penn
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Subjects: Business, Sci/Tech
Topics: Technology
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Posted by: Posted by Dale Penn - May 16, 2007 - 8:01 AM PDT
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William Wittmeyer
3.8
by William Wittmeyer - Oct. 1, 2008

A well written informative article on Microsoft and its patent war. Highlights some of the problems with the US Patent system and the proliferation of software patents.

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Kaizar Campwala
3.7
by Kaizar Campwala - Oct. 1, 2008

The article seems to suggest that at least some people think the way the patent system works today is a little absurd, but does not explain whether there is any public policy drive to 'fix' the system.

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Dale Penn
4.1
by Dale Penn - Oct. 1, 2008

News analysis covering the complexities of patent law in the world of fast changing technology.

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