Microsoft: open-source violates 235 patents

Posted on Monday, May 14 2007 @ 15:13 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck

In an interview with the Fortune magazine, Microsoft stated that open-source software violates 235 of Microsoft's patents. Lawyer Brad Smith from Microsoft says the Linux kernel violates 42 patents while the user interface and other design parts violate another 65 patents.

Smith further claims that OpenOffice violates 45 Microsoft patents and that another 83 violations were found in other open-source programs.

It is not entirely clear how Microsoft might proceed in enforcing these patents, but the company has been encouraging large tech companies that depend on Linux to ink patent deals, starting with its controversial pact with Novell last November. Microsoft has also cited Linux protection playing a role in recent patent swap deals with Samsung and Fuji Xerox. Microsoft has also had discussions, but not reached a deal with, Red Hat, as noted in the Fortune piece.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is also quoted in the article as saying Microsoft's open-source competitors need to "play by the same rules as the rest of the business."

"What's fair is fair," Ballmer told Fortune. "We live in a world where we honor, and support the honoring of, intellectual property."

Source: CNET.

About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.

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Re: Microsoft: open-source violates 235 patents
by Anonymous on Monday, May 14 2007 @ 16:08 CEST

Ah yes, the Vole needs TOTAL WORLD DOMINATION. All bow before the almighty Vole!

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