Upgrading to Firefox 2.0?

[Mike Kallies]

On 11/5/06, David J Patrick <davidjpatrick-rieW9WUcm8FFJ04o6PK0Fg at public.gmane.org> wrote:
> On 05/11/06, Mike Kallies <mike.kallies-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w at public.gmane.org> wrote:
> > Any patent abuses would extend beyond SuSE and into all other distros.
> Actually, as I understand it, the patent abuses will bypass MSuSE and
> target any linux company/ coder who hopes to make $1.00

It cant' work that way.  If MS *did* try that.  Eg., with the FAT
code, you could, for example do this:

1. strip the FAT code from Debian.
2. Take the FAT code from MSuSE
3. Put the FAT code from MSuSE into Debian

MS can't put a redistribution clause on GPL'd code and they can't
un-GPL it.  If they rewrote the code as BSD license and demanded
royalties, competitors with large patent portfolios could do the same
in return.

...
> embrace is a potential subject of litigation. This is deliberately
> destructive.

Naw, I think we just disagree on this.  MS is after money.  That's all
they've ever been after.  World domination and crushing competition is
all collateral damage.

> > Besides, not to imply that Microsoft is not evil, but does anyone have
> > any examples of Microsoft ever abusing their patent portfolio?  Or
> > even Microsoft using lawsuits aggressively?
> or evidence of their willingness to abuse their monopoly ?
> to embrace and extinguish ?
> yes.

MS has been pushing for patent reform:

<http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2005/mar05/03-10patentreform.mspx>

Patents and employing factory sweatshop workers are about the only
places where MS has shown limits to its evil.

I'm doubtful that MS really has small business in mind when talking of
patents, but at least they claim to.

Don't ever let it be said that I thought MS was not evil!  Very evil.
But I don't think they have motive or power to snuff out Linux.

-Mike
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