01.21.08
Patenting GNU/Linux, Troll Auctions
It wasn’t long ago that we took a look at patents which protect Linux, at least to the degree possible given the need for a device (combination of software and hardware). But have a look at this rather disturbing find:
This is not the first time I heard about strange patents filed in China.
[…]
“This invention is about the method to boot Linux OS on removable storage which is attached to the USB port of PC. It is implemented in a way that firstly, setup Linux OS in the removable storage; then enter BIOS of the PC, to change the boot sequence to USB-HDD or USB-ZIP first; now boot the system, so user can choose the Linux version, and Linux kernel with initrd will be loaded by bootloader from the removable storage to PC memory; then boot the Linux kernel, initialize system and run tasks; mount filesystem of initrd, then switch to root filesystem on the removable storage; detect hardware devices, install drivers and configure them automatically; finally, start the desktop session, after user has input the username and password, detect hardware partitions automatically and mount them.”
This is the abstract. Is UNIX/Linux being patented here? A month ago we mentioned an article which claims that 90% of China’s new patents are “garbage” (exact quote). Would this qualify as a good demonstration of this?
Digital Majority links to another interesting item that serves as a decent headsup. It seems as though patent trolls are finding new and more effective ways to exploit the weaknesses of the existing system.
I was just surprise that the business of patent trolling is going one step forward by proposing an auction platform to sell “intellectual capital” (as stated on the Ocean Tomo website.) and creating fear about a potential bidder having bad intentions.
Is the future about the passing of imaginary property from one person to another? The litigation does not benefit inventors; it helps lawyers who artificially and proactively increase workload. █
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.