04.06.08

Microsoft’s Software Patents ‘Buddy’ Faces More Corruption Allegations

Posted in Microsoft, GNU/Linux, Hardware, Asia, Fraud, Kernel, Samsung at 2:10 am by Roy Schestowitz

“Great [criminal] minds think alike”

Microsoft’s business crimes is a topic we have been through before (some updates here), so we needn’t run down though examples again. Today’s topic, however, is the big fiasco that revolves around Samsung, which we consider a no-go area ever since it decided to pay Microsoft for Linux, or rather, for baseless accusations and unsubstantiated claims. In that sense, Samsung did Microsoft a great FUD favour/lip service and to Linux developers it was a disservice.

Those two companies, Microsoft and Samsung are closer than most people realise. Among the projects they collaborated on recently: Origami, RAM chips (Vista), USB solutions for Windows and much more.

Today’s news comes from MSBBC.

Prosecutors question Samsung boss

The boss of South Korea’s Samsung Group has appeared before special prosecutors to be questioned over allegations of corruption at the firm.

Lee Kun-hee, chairman of the company, the country’s largest conglomerate, is being questioned in regard to an investigation that started in January.

[…]

With a global workforce of 754,000, it enjoys annual profits of more than $14bn.

For background on this case, see this article from The Inquirer.

Samsung bribery scandal embroils politicians

SAMSUNG IS bracing itself for an investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption that go to the heart of the Korean government.

[…]

According to AFP, Kim says he saw a bribery list kept in a secret vault in Samsung’s headquarters.

It is a very large company at the moment and it will be interesting to find out just how much misconduct was involved and — more importantly — where. █