09.11.07
Quote of the Day: Why the World is Better Off Without Software Patents
From Misus:
…the OIN patent pooling approach relies on the patent monopoly to work, since the potential threat of a patent infringement lawsuit is what induces third parties to enter into the OIN license (on the other hand, without the patent monopoly, there would be no reason for OIN to exist).
[…]
In other words, it’s similar to the situation that would exist in the absence of IP–without all the effort and waste to get a bunch of flaccid scraps of paper.
Even Microsoft understands that paper is an issue. Another project has just joined the GPLv3 club, which among many things, is a statement against the misuse of software patent.
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.