M$ to license FAT

[Tim Writer]

cbbrowne-HInyCGIudOg at public.gmane.org writes:

> > As the title says. Impact on Linux ?
> 
> If the claims are true, that there are "live" patents still in place on
> FAT, then it is conceivable that there might be patent infringments, or
> at least places where MSFT could _claim_ that there are.

IANAL but, as I understand it, damages in a pattern infringement case are
usually awarded on the basis of lost profit, i.e. the profit M$ would have
made if it weren't for the infringement.  Linux users who want access to
their FAT files (from within Linux) aren't about to purchase an M$ product
(or licensed product) since there's no product available with the
required functionality.  Consequently, while patents might have been
infringed, damages are $0.

-- 
tim writer <tim-s/rLXaiAEBtBDgjK7y7TUQ at public.gmane.org>                                  starnix inc.
905.771.0017 ext. 225                           thornhill, ontario, canada
http://www.starnix.com              professional linux services & products
--
The Toronto Linux Users Group.      Meetings: http://tlug.ss.org
TLUG requests: Linux topics, No HTML, wrap text below 80 columns
How to UNSUBSCRIBE: http://tlug.ss.org/subscribe.shtml