* Readers respond to recent newsletter: 'Sorting through rubble after Microsoft's Linux patent bombshell'
I will make one prediction following the recent controversy around Microsoft’s patent-violation claims against Linux: we will see a surge in shipments of new computer keyboards, as angry Linux users wear theirs out, posting their umbrage in responses to last weeks’ newsletter on the hottest Microsoft/Linux controversy yet.
Microsoft earlier this month asserted, in an article published in Fortune Magazine that Linux, and other open source technologies, violate over 200 patents held by Microsoft, from kernel operating system, to desktop interface and office applications.
The biggest issues readers of this newsletter had was the number of allegations of patent infringement, without any specifics.
“I was mostly struck by the word “bombshell” in the title [of last week’s newsletter],” one reader writers. “With Microsoft refusing to identify the infringing code and also refusing to identify the infringing patents perhaps the words “water balloon” would be more appropriate. It appears the announcement has done far more to irritate than harm. What is Microsoft hiding and why?”
Others questioned the timing of the patent assertions, as well as Microsoft’s own past software development practices. Microsoft has said “Linux and open source pose no threat to Microsoft,” says one reader, who goes on to say “Where was [the controversy] when Microsoft’s was accused of stealing code from the likes of Stac Electronics and others in the past? Did they suddenly grow a new leaf?”
Some readers say the controversy will just blow over, as this online commenter did.
“Basically this boils down to nothing more than Microsoft standard practice: FUD and an attempt at extortion,” the reader says. “They want enough media attention just to cast a shadow of doubt upon the Open Source community, even though they have nothing solid that will harm Open Source. They want to fear monger the small developers of independent Open Source software into paying the Microsoft tax in perpetuity since their Vista revenue stream isn’t what they hoped.”
Finally, as one reader coyly put it, regarding comments from Microsoft’s open source guru Bill Hilf: “He says ‘there’s no other hidden agenda'” regarding Microsoft’s plan to favor negotiating licensing deals with Linux users, and not suing them. “As opposed to what hidden agenda in the first place?”
