10.18.07
Keeping an Eye Open for Other Possible Patent-trolling Proxies
Sam has some interesting details about another possible patent troll in the making. It has links with Microsoft.
IP Innovations is not the first company of its kind which has Microsoft ex-employees - Nathan Myhrvold, for many years a senior Microsoft employee, runs an outfit called Intellectual Ventures, a company devoted to buying potentially profitable patents.
Recall Acacia’s own ties with Microsoft and be aware of the ongoing research at Groklaw. There could be more than a single “next SCO”.
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.